A White Pine County jury on Tuesday found inmate Anthony Ribera guilty for his role in a July 30, 2024, fight at Ely State Prison that left three inmates dead and five others injured. State officials announced the verdict, which comes in the middle of a sprawling prosecution that has generated dozens of charges tied to the disturbance. Prosecutors have charged roughly 20 people in connection with the case, and multiple related prosecutions remain pending.
Attorney General Shares Verdict On X
Attorney General Aaron D. Ford announced the jury’s decision in a post on X, according to the Nevada Attorney General's Office. The office cast the conviction as part of an ongoing effort to hold everyone involved in the deadly prison attack accountable.
What Happened In July
The July 30, 2024 altercation at Ely State Prison killed inmates Anthony Williams, 41, Connor Brown, 22, and Zacharia Luz, 42, according to reporting by the AP. Several other inmates were hospitalized, and the facility went into lockdown while authorities processed the scene and launched their investigation.
Charges Alleged In The Case
In March 2025, the Nevada Attorney General’s Office announced indictments charging about 20 people in connection with the brawl and said some counts included first‑degree murder and attempted murder with alleged gang intent. The Nevada Attorney General's Office noted that the case includes three counts of first‑degree murder with use of a deadly weapon and five counts of attempted murder with use of a deadly weapon, each alleged to have been committed to promote or assist a criminal gang.
Prosecutors Say The Assault Was Organized
Criminal complaints and local reporting describe the attack as organized and gang‑linked, alleging that inmates fashioned weapons and used books, clothing, and magazines as makeshift body armor. The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that prosecutors tied the incident to Surenos‑aligned inmates in court filings.
Legal Stakes For Defendants
Under Nevada law, murder in the first degree carries severe penalties, including life in prison and, in narrow circumstances with aggravating factors, the death penalty. The state’s gang‑enhancement statute can add an extra one to twenty years to a felony sentence. For the legal framework, see Nevada’s statutes on homicide and gang enhancements as compiled by Justia and Justia.
Aftermath Inside Nevada’s Prison System
The July fatalities and rising gang violence at Ely fed into a broader prison reorganization. In September 2024, the Nevada Department of Corrections completed a transfer of nearly 2,000 inmates and swapped security designations between Ely State Prison and High Desert State Prison. The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that the department framed the shift as a safety measure for both staff and incarcerated people.
What’s Next In The Case
The attorney general’s post did not list a sentencing date for Ribera, and officials say additional trials or hearings for other defendants are still pending in White Pine County. Prosecutors and local authorities continue to coordinate as the wider prosecution moves forward.
