Joseph Michael Verdusco (clockwise, from top left), Michael Anthony Behrens, Daniel Rhease Hoskins and William Brandon Hall
A fight in the Baxter County jail has resulted in charges being filed against four inmates.
One of them, 27-year-old Joseph Michael Verdusco of Yellville, appeared in Baxter County Circuit Court Thursday by way of a video hookup and asked to address the court.
Verdusco said he had been the one fighting with the victim and that, “these other dudes had nothing to do with it. I was fighting and they were trying to pull me off.”
According to the probable cause affidavit, about 9:15 p.m. on July 19, the four men entered a cell in the C-Pod.
They were identified as Verdusco, 30-year-old Michael Anthony Behrens, 31-year-old William Brandon Hall, both of Mountain Home, and 32-year-old Daniel Rhease Hoskins who lists an address in Paragould.
After a few minutes, they were seen exiting the cell. The victim was described as “stumbling” when he exited.
The victim was taken to the booking area. Jailers noted he was bleeding from two places on the back of his head.
An ambulance was called when the victim appeared to “go into a seizure.” He was taken to Baxter Regional Medical Center for treatment and released back to the jail a few hours later.
Despite what Verdusco told the court, the victim is said to have told jailers that all four suspects were involved in the beating.
In the probable cause affidavit, it is noted that there is surveillance camera footage of “some of the incident.”
The four inmates were in jail on charges including theft, possessing drugs and drug paraphernalia, parole violations, simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms, being a felon in possession of a firearm and forgery.
In the probable cause affidavit, it is noted that the sheriffs office would be responsible for the victims medical bills and it is requested that restitution be assessed to the guilty party or parties.
All of the men have entered not guilty pleas to the new charges of 3rd degree battery, engaging in violent criminal group activity and impairing the operation of a vital public facility.
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