Probe looks into activities at Tonopah prison camp

CARSON CITY -- An investigation into reports of illegal activity is being conducted at the state prison's conservation camp in Tonopah.

John Slansky, assistant state director of prisons, said Friday the inquiry at the facility which houses 143 inmates has been underway for three weeks and should be completed by next week.

He said the director of the camp, Lt. John Larson, is on medical leave. Larson's leave is not related to the investigation, according to Slansky.

Slansky said the second-in-command, Sgt. Richard Truce, "got mad and quit." He said Truce was not fired.

One part of the investigation concerns the paint booth in the hobby shop. There have been allegations that some of the items painted in the booth should not have been authorized. Slansky said, however, that so far the investigation has not uncovered anything illegal.

The probe also is looking into the system that classifies inmates by their security risk and work status.

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