Sept. 03--Three Santa Clara County sheriff's deputies were arrested Thursday morning in connection with the death last week of an inmate, authorities said.
Santa Clara County sheriff's officials have not released details about the officers who were arrested but said they would be holding a news conference later Thursday.
The San Jose Mercury News identified the correctional officers as Matthew Farris, Jereh Lubrin and Rafael Rodriguez. The officers were being held in custody without bail on suspicion of murder, conspiracy and assault under the color of authority, according to Santa Clara County sheriff's officials. They are scheduled to appear in court Sept. 8.
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The Santa Clara County Correctional Peace Officers' Assn. declined to comment on the officers' arrest.
Farris, Lubrin and Rodriguez were accused of beating Michael James Tyree, 31, while he was in protective custody, the newspaper reported. The officers allegedly admitted to using force after Tyree's body was found in his cell.
Tyree was waiting for bed space to open at Momentum Crisis Residential, according to the county's department of correction. His next court date was scheduled for Sept. 29.
Momentum Crisis Residential is an 24-hour adult residential treatment program that provides psychosocial and therapeutic rehabilitation. The program focuses on reintegrating its clients into the community.
The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner-Coroner's office declined to comment on Tyree's death, referring all inquires to the sheriff's office.
Tyree was a transient who once lived in Florida, KGO-TV reported.
Tyree's sister, Shannon, told the Los Angeles Times that the family was holding up, but she referred all comments to their attorney.
Calls to the family's attorney were not immediately returned.
The Santa Clara County jail system is the fifth largest in California, with an average daily inmate population of 4,000, according to its department website.
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UPDATE
12:17 p.m.: This story has been updated with new details about Michael Tyree.
This story was originally published at 10:53 p.m.
