Two Bexar Co. Jail Guards Put on Leave, Third Quits After Inmate Beating

Two Bexar Co. Jail guards put on leave, third quits after inmate beating Two Bexar Co. Jail guards put on leave, third quits after inmate beating by Dillon Collier / KENS 5 Bio | Email | Follow: @dilloncollier Posted on June 3, 2013 at 11:15 PM SAN ANTONIO -- Two guards at the Bexar County Jail have been on administrative leave since late May after an inmate was beaten inside his cell. Alvaro Ramirez III and Michael Smith were placed on leave following a six-week internal investigation. Inmate Shawn McHazlett was attacked March 31. According to sources within the jail, McHazlett was asleep when Ramirez entered his cell and started to punch him. Officer Michael Smith also is accused of entering the cell and was placed on leave after investigators found he tried to cover up the attack. McHazlett was later treated for bruised ribs and muscle injuries from being shot by a stun gun. A third guard, who witnessed the attack, resigned three days later. He spoke with KENS 5 on Monday and said the beating crystalized his decision to quit. "I felt like I can't work in this type of environment," said the former guard, who asked KENS 5 to conceal his identity. McHazlett was arrested Jan. 13 on felony drug and firearm charges and a misdemeanor charge of interfering with a public servant. "There are almost 800 employees working inside the Bexar County Jail, and a vast majority of them do a wonderful job under stressful situations," said Paul Berry, spokesman for the Bexar County Sheriff's Office. Watch The Video >http://www.kens5.com/news/Two-Bexar-Co-Jail-guards-on-leave-third-quits-after-inmate-beating-210021761.html