Four men charged in connection with attack on Sussex VADOC K-9 officer, stabbed multiple times

SUSSEX COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) – Four men have been indicted by a Sussex County grand jury in connection with the April attack on a Virginia Department of Corrections (VADOC) officer and her K-9 Rivan that left a nearly 6-year-old dog dead.

Four men believed to be affiliated with the national gang Mara Salvatrucha 13 (MS-13) have been charged with multiple counts in connection with the alleged kidnapping, according to a June 28 press release from the Virginia Attorney General’s Office. the attack that took place on April 2 at Sussex State Prison I this resulted in the death of VADOC Officer Kharmishia Phillip-Fields, assigned to K-9 at Rivan.

According to VADOC, three of these men – who were in prison at the time – attacked another inmate on Tuesday, April 2, under the supervision of a fourth. When Phillip-Fields tried to stop the violence with Rivan’s help, the men reportedly attacked them.

Phillip-Fields was wounded but survived. However, according to VADOC’s initial statement on the incident, Rivan was “stabbed and kicked multiple times by inmates” and later died.

VADOC later honored Rivan’s sacrifice with a memorial servicesaying that he died protecting his guardian and that he was a true hero.

“Any loss is tragic,” said Sussex County Attorney Regina Sykes. “Even more so is the loss of those who are most vulnerable and defenseless. The Sussex County Attorney’s Office appreciates the ultimate sacrifice K-9 Rivan made and rests in the knowledge that his death will not be in vain.

The men accused of these crimes and the charges they face are:

• Ronald Sanchez-Ramirez: Killing or wounding a police animal, malicious wounding by a mob, conspiracy to maliciously wound by a mob, participation in a gang, assault and battery on a law enforcement officer, stabbing during the commission of a crime, and being in prison in possession of a dangerous weapon.
• Nelson Torres Alvarez: Killing or injuring a police animal, conspiracy to injure with intent, gang involvement, assault and battery on a law enforcement officer, and being in prison with a deadly weapon.
• Axel Wilfredo Ortiz Garcia: Malicious wounding by a mob, conspiracy to maliciously wound by a mob, participation in a gang, possession of a dangerous weapon by a prisoner and stabbing in commission of a crime.
• Jose Antonio Sagastume: Malicious wounding by a mob, gang involvement, and conspiracy to commit malicious wounding by a mob.

VADOC Director Chad Dotson issued a statement in response to the allegations.

“Since this heinous attack was committed, the Virginia Department of Corrections has pursued these inmates to the fullest extent of the law. Officer Phillip-Fields and Rivan deserve no less. Their heroic actions potentially saved the lives of several corrections staff members and inmates at Sussex I State Prison.

“I thank Governor Glenn Youngkin and Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security Terrance Cole for their full and unwavering support of our employees following this brutal attack. I also thank Attorney General Jason Miyares and Sussex County Prosecutor Regina Sykes for supporting VADOC in securing justice in this case on behalf of the Department, Officer Phillip Fields, Rivan, and all members of our Corrections and Canine Team who work every day to ensure the long-term safety of the public in Virginia.”

VADOC Director Chad Dotson