DELANO – California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation officials are investigating the June 28, 2024, death of an incarcerated person at Kern Valley State Prison (KVSP) as a homicide.
At 8:06 p.m., three incarcerated persons, Michael Brown, Jerry Dunham, Rex Dickey allegedly attacked another incarcerated person, Dwight Gibbs.
Staff quickly stopped the incident, restraining the three incarcerated individuals without further incident. No staff or additional incarcerated individuals were injured.
Dwight Gibbs was taken to the prison’s triage and treatment area for injuries he sustained during the attack. Gibbs was transported to an outside medical facility for further treatment where he was pronounced deceased at 9:10 p.m.
Brown, Dunham, and Dickey were placed in restricted housing pending an investigation by KVSP Investigative Services Unit and the Kern County District Attorney’s Office. Officers recovered three inmate-manufactured weapons at the scene. The Office of the Inspector General was notified, and the Kern County Coroner will determine Gibbs’ official cause of death.
Gibbs, 24, was received from Los Angeles County January 19, 2023, to serve 41 years for attempted second-degree murder as a second striker with enhancements of inflicting great bodily injury and use of a firearm.
Brown, 55, was first received from San Bernardino County on Dec. 3, 1993, to serve one year four months for possession of controlled substance for sale. On July 24, 1994, he released to parole supervision after serving his full sentence as defined by law. On Sept. 28, 1994, Brown was returned from parole. Brown completed his revocation period on Nov. 27, 1994, and was returned to parole supervision. On May 9. 1997, Brown was again returned from parole to serve life without the possibility of parole for first-degree murder with enhancements of using a firearm.
Jerry Dunham, 63, was first received from Orange County on March 20, 1984, sentenced to four years and eight months for robbery with the use of a firearm and assault with a firearm. He paroled on June 2, 1986, and on July 22, 1987, he was discharged from parole supervision. Dunham was received from Los Angeles County on April 5, 1991, to serve 27 years and eight months for attempted second-degree murder with enhancements of inflicting great bodily injury while using a firearm and second-degree robbery. On July 6, 2000, Dunham was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole – for assault by prisoner with a deadly weapon likely to cause great bodily injury, third striker, an in-prison offense.
Rex Dickey, 61, was first received from Los Angeles County on Dec. 14, 1982, to serve two years for first-degree burglary. Dickey paroled in Jan.1985 and through December 1998 he was released from parole and returned from parole on four different occasions for first-degree burglary sentences. On Sept. 27, 2000, Dickey was returned from parole to serve a new term of 27 years for first-degree burglary, second striker. On April 18, 2018, Dickey was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole for assault by life inmate, victim not killed, an in-prison offense. On Feb. 27, 2019, he was sentenced for assault by life inmate, victim not killed, an in-prison offense, third striker.
Dwight Gibbs
Michael Brown
Jerry Dunham
Rex Dickey
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 1, 2024
Contact: CDCR Press Office: OPEC@cdcr.ca.gov