Two inmates at the Utah State Correctional Facility face aggravated assault charges following an alleged stabbing of an individual they claim is a rival gang member. The individual has been admitted to the hospital due to significant injuries sustained.
Michael Thomas Webb, 20, faces serious charges including aggravated assault with injury by a prisoner, possession of a weapon as an offender, causing a riot that resulted in substantial or serious bodily injury, criminal conspiracy, and prohibited dangerous weapon conduct.
Efrain Castillo, 43, faces serious charges including aggravated assault with injury by a prisoner, riot resulting in substantial or serious bodily injury, and criminal conspiracy.
Documents reveal that on May 7, 2025, an officer from the Utah Department of Corrections at the Utah State Correctional Facility in Salt Lake County reacted to an emergency call made by an inmate. Upon entering the cell, he discovered the victim lying on the bunk, blood smeared across his face and a significant amount of blood flowing from his wounds.
The officer reported seeing blood on the floor, walls, and mattress. The medical care team attended to the victim, discovering eight stab wounds in his back. He was admitted to the hospital with serious internal injuries and experienced a temporary loss of respiratory function.
Footage captured within the cell reveals the victim being assaulted with punches before being forcibly pushed back into his cell by Castillo and Webb. Webb entered the cell after the victim, with Castillo trailing closely behind. In a shocking turn of events, Webb reportedly pulled a weapon from his waistband and executed “eight distinct stab motions” to the victim’s back as Castillo held him back.
Documents reveal that surveillance footage captured Webb leaving the cell and hiding the weapon in his waistband once more. Visible blood stains mar his right hand.
Documents reveal that Castillo and Webb are part of a gang that stands in opposition to the gang affiliation of the victim. In a recent interview regarding the incident, Webb reportedly stated to the police, “I merely posed a question, and then it escalated from there…” He claimed affiliation with a competing gang, and I responded by revealing my identity.
Castillo and Webb currently serve time at the Utah State Correctional Facility.
