Inmate gets charges for flooding his cell
A Butler County Prison inmate is facing new charges after he allegedly broke a fire suppression sprinkler and flooded his cell.
County detectives said Sheldon L. Hile, 21, of Butler on March 1 — while in the restrictive housing unit — used a string to sever the sprinkler head.
The cell block flooded, authorities said, which temporarily put the fire suppression system out of operation.
Hile allegedly admitted to the vandalism, which caused $148 in damage.
When asked why he did it, according to court documents, he replied that he “just had the urge to do so.”
He is charged with institutional vandalism and reckless endangerment, both misdemeanors. His preliminary arraignment is pending.
Hile has been in the county prison on $15,000 bail since Dec. 20, when he was arrested along with two others in connection with the assault and robbery of another man two days earlier in Butler.
City police allege the trio Dec. 18 followed the 20-year-old victim from a store to his home on American Avenue, where they jumped him, according to court documents.
The victim claimed he was kicked and punched. Hile is accused of taking the man's cell phone before he and the others left.
Hile's formal arraignment in that case is scheduled for March 13 in Butler County Court. He is charged with robbery, conspiracy, theft and simple assault.
