11 inmates charged in Platte County jail disturbance

PLATTE CITY, Mo. (AP) — Platte County authorities say 11 inmates at the county detention center were charged after a disturbance in December. Prosecutors say about 25 inmates participated in the riot on Dec. 20, which lasted more than five hours. Some of the inmates were described as passive participants. Others destroyed jail property and refused to return to their cells. Platte County Prosecuting Attorney Eric Zahnd said the riot was sparked by inmates not being able to get their e-cigarettes. Zahnd said two SWAT teams used small plastic balls filled with pepper spray to end the disturbance. Four inmates were charged with damaging jail property and rioting, while the others were charged with failure to disperse.