Inmate hurt at NSP dies

The inmate found severely beaten at Nevada State Prison last week died Monday night.

Eugene Ortega was found unconscious on the floor of the shower at the prison on Fifth Street on June 20. He suffered severe head injuries at the hands of other inmates.

Prison spokesman Fritz Schlottman said Ortega was taken by Care flight to Washoe Medical Center in Reno, where he was put on life support.

Ortega, 44, never regained consciousness.

He was serving a six- to 15-year sentence for robbery from Clark County and had recently been transferred to NSP from the maximum security Ely State Prison. Ortega was due to complete his sentence late next year.

The case is still under investigation with the Washoe County Crime Lab handling the case as a homicide. The prison remains on partial lockdown to control the movement of inmates.

Ortega's was the second assault in recent weeks at the prison. In the first instance, the victim required only stitches.

Schlottman said both assaults involve what investigators believe is an internal battle within an Hispanic gang.