Prosecutors have filed charges against a King County Jail inmate who allegedly incited a riot on a high-security floor of the jail in March.

King County prosecutors have charged Larry Michael Watkins with "prison riot," first degree malicious mischief, and felony harassment, alleging Watkins and seven other inmates trashed a common area on the 10th floor of the King County Jail.

According to court documents, the incident began around 12:30 on March 28th after an officer got into a "verbal confrontation" with Watkins. 

We've heard from several sources that the inmates were watching an NCAA Elite 8 game—presumably Michigan vs. Tennessee, which would've been on at the time of the riot—when a guard told them their TV time was up.

The guard ordered Watkins and 15 other inmates to return to their cells, but the men refused, court records say. The guard felt threatened by the men, backed out of the room, and locked the door.

Prosecutors say Watkins and seven other inmates used a metal bar—referred to as a "shank" in jail records—to smash windows, a phone, an overhead speaker, and a television during the riot. Records indicate inmates also attempted to flood the common room, and Watkins used the "shank" to make "stabbing and throat cutting motions" at an guard. All told, the riot caused about $13,000 in damage.

Seattle police surrounded the jail on 5th and Jefferson and called in a SWAT team to quell the riot. When guards informed the rioting inmates that the SWAT team was on its way, the inmates returned to their cells.

Court records indicate eight men were the primary participants in the riot. Jail records say eight other inmates were present for the riot but did not participate—although they did not return to their cells as ordered.

Court documents say some high-profile inmates were involved in the riot.

Jail records say Rey Davis-Bell—convicted of fatally shooting a Central District sandwich shop owner in 2008—tore up a mattress, broke windows, and destroyed a telephone in the riot.

Valente Alvarez-Guerrero—charged with murdering his roommate several hours after Alvarez-Guerrero was arrested for domestic violence assault—allegedly tried to flood part of the jail.

Jacob Shook—charged with robbing several pharmacies at gunpoint earlier this year—tore off a shower curtain to shield himself from pepper spray.

Court records say Watkins was in jail awaiting sentencing on three pending drug cases and a theft case.

Prosecutors also say inmates Vaughn Weems, William Saffo, William Muhammad, and Charles Smith were involved in the riot.

Several other inmates, William Sancomb, Dominique McDowell, Calvin Dunbar, Jabari Sanders, Aaron Johnson, Vernon Birdsbill, Gabriel Phipps, Matthew Soderquist, Cesar Trochez-Jiminez, and Dion Fillmore did not actively participate in the riot, but did not follow guards orders to return to their cells.

King County prosecutor's office spokesman Dan Donohoe says other inmates could be charged for their participation in the riot. However, Donohoe says prosecutors will not file charges against Davis-Bell as he is already serving a life sentence.