ASH patient arrested for attacks on inmate, officer

November 21, 2014

ash2Authorities arrested an Atascadero State Hospital patient Tuesday for assaulting both another patient and a hospital police officer. [Tribune]

Montoya Nichols, 23, is accused of attacking another patient in an ASH dorm room just after 10 p.m. Monday. The victim suffered head and facial injuries, according to ASH officials.

Nichols also alleged struck a police officer several times in the face. It is unclear if the incident occurred in conjunction with the assault on the patient.

Both victims received treatment for their injuries at outside hospitals. Neither of the victims have been identified.

Nichols is in San Luis Obispo County Jail on a $50,000 bond for felony assault, felony resisting and misdemeanor battery charges. ASH officials have not identified him as the attacker due to privacy requirements, but his name became public by way of jail records.


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These are new charges for a new crime that could send him to prison. My understanding is that if he or his family posts bond, he would be sent back to ASH.


ASH also has a high number of parolees that are forced to serve their parole in the mental hospital due to their mental instability and violent crimes.


There was a case in 2011 when Desmond Watkins who was at ASH, supposedly wanted to go back to prison so he assaulted a psychiatric tech to tack a few knew felonies onto his resume.


I’m curious to know the purpose behind presenting a $50,000 bond to a convicted person. Its not like he can post a bond pending trial…..right?