Ricky Wassenaar (along with Steven Coy) took part in a major prison standoff at the Arizona State Prison Complex-Lewis in Buckeye. They overpowered guards, seized a watchtower, and held two correctional officers hostage for 15 days (one of the longest prison hostage situations in U.S. history). One female guard was sexually assaulted multiple times during the ordeal. Wassenaar was convicted on multiple charges (including kidnapping, sexual assault, aggravated assault, and escape-related counts) and sentenced to 16 consecutive life sentences in 2005.
While housed at the Arizona State Prison Complex-Tucson (Cimarron Unit), Wassenaar is the sole suspect in the deaths of three inmates:
Saul Alvarez — his cellmate (Wassenaar said he suffocated/strangled him because he didn’t want to share a cell; some reports mention additional stabbing).
Thorne Harnage
Donald Lashley
He allegedly used a rock placed in a fishnet laundry bag as a weapon in a fenced yard area near the mess hall, swinging it to attack prisoners waiting for entry. He also injured at least one other prisoner. Two of the victims (Harnage and Lashley) were convicted sex offenders (sexual conduct with a minor/child molestation). Alvarez had a prior murder conviction involving the rape and killing of a 15-year-old girl.
Maybe he's a serial killer. I don't think he's a hero.
