Indian Springs, NV – A Nevada family has filed a lawsuit against the Nevada Department of Corrections (NDOC) after their loved one, 35-year-old Jacob Herman, was allegedly stabbed and strangled to death by his cellmate — a convicted murderer serving life without parole — just days before Herman was set to be released. The lawsuit accuses NDOC of ignoring explicit warnings, failing to provide protective custody, and placing a low-level offender in a cell with someone who, in their words, had “nothing to lose.”
The Incident: Low-Level Offender Killed in Violent Prison Attack
Herman, who was serving a 12 to 36-month sentence for larceny, had been incarcerated since May 20, 2024, and was reportedly only days away from release at the time of his death. According to the lawsuit, Herman was housed in cellblock 4C at High Desert State Prison, where he shared a cell with a man known as “King,” a convicted murderer described as extremely dangerous.
NDOC confirmed Herman’s death in a July 17 press release, stating that he died on July 16 around 2:50 a.m. The release provided minimal details, but the lawsuit alleges the attack involved both stabbing and strangulation, and that King immediately confessed to officers afterward.
Investigation and Evidence: Repeated Warnings Ignored
The lawsuit asserts that NDOC knew Herman was at risk, yet placed him in the same cell as King despite multiple warnings.
“King told officers he did not want Jacob housed with him and was going to kill Jacob if he was put in a cell with him,” the complaint states.
Herman’s family alleges that King had declared his intentions loudly to several officers, yet NDOC still housed the two men together. The complaint also describes King as having a documented history of severe mental illness, including episodes of running, shouting, and ignoring officer commands, even on the day of the killing.
The lawsuit argues that NDOC failed to follow protective custody protocols and instead enforced a “dangerous policy of housing inmates about to be released with violent inmates serving life sentences.”
Court Proceedings and Legal Allegations
The lawsuit filed by Herman’s family accuses NDOC of:
- Failure to protect a vulnerable inmate
- Deliberate indifference to known threats
- Housing assignments that violated protective-custody guidelines
- Negligence caused by overcrowding and understaffing
According to the complaint, widespread overcrowding and understaffing at High Desert State Prison contributed directly to Herman’s death. The facility “had too many inmates” and too few officers to properly supervise cell assignments or respond to mental health red flags.
Herman, who pleaded guilty to larceny in 2023, was supposed to be placed in protective custody, his family says. Instead, he was housed with one of the prison system’s most violent offenders.
Statements and Reactions: Family Demands Accountability
Herman’s family described the incident as entirely preventable, accusing NDOC of ignoring repeated warnings.
“Systemic overcrowding, understaffing, and disregard for protective-custody safeguards created the conditions that allowed Mr. Herman’s death,” the complaint states.
“Defendants were indifferent to Jacob’s safety and did not take threats seriously even though his cellmate was a violent offender with a life sentence who had nothing to lose.”
King, whose full name was not used in the lawsuit, had been convicted of a “savage sexual assault” on a woman and her 10-year-old son, followed by bludgeoning both to death with a hammer. He also attempted to murder the woman’s husband. He was serving life without the possibility of parole for murder, sexual assault of a minor under 14, kidnapping, and robbery.
Neighbors and fellow inmates reportedly expressed shock that a nonviolent offender nearing release would be housed with someone serving a life sentence for child murder.
Background Context: Nevada Prison System Under Scrutiny
High Desert State Prison has faced criticism for years, with reports of:
- Chronic understaffing
- Overcrowded units
- Inadequate mental-health care
- High rates of inmate-on-inmate violence
Advocates argue that assigning inmates without proper classification reviews — especially pairing nonviolent offenders with extremely violent ones — creates predictable dangers.
Legal experts note that depending on the findings of the investigation, NDOC could face significant civil liability, particularly if evidence shows employees ignored direct threats.
Ongoing Developments and What Happens Next
As the civil lawsuit moves forward, NDOC has not issued a detailed public statement. Requests for comment sent Wednesday were not returned. Herman’s family hopes the lawsuit will lead to policy changes within Nevada’s correctional facilities to ensure no other family endures a similar tragedy.
King remains incarcerated and is expected to face additional charges related to Herman’s death.
Conclusion
Jacob Herman’s death has raised serious concerns about prison safety, inmate classification, and systemic failures within Nevada’s correctional system. As the legal case unfolds, his family is pursuing accountability in hopes of preventing future tragedies involving vulnerable inmates placed in dangerous housing situations.
What are your thoughts on this case and the prison system’s responsibility to protect inmates? Share your views in the comments below.
