Walter T. Clark in the Community
Walter T. Clark in the Community
News in the Community
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RANCHO MIRAGE — A lawsuit was filed in the Central District of California Federal Court on Tuesday against Sheriff Chad Bianco, who is running for governor; the County of Riverside and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department the failure to provide medical care to a seriously injured pretrial detainee.
The lawsuit was filed late Tuesday afternoon. Bianco told Uken Report early Wednesday morning that he was unaware of the lawsuit.
Walter Clark Legal Group filed the legal action on behalf of pretrial detainee in Riverside County jail who was allegedly assaulted by other inmates while in custody and was allegedly medical care for 12 hours for his life-threatening injuries before he was finally allowed to go to a hospital for emergency surgery, according to the lawsuit.
Attorneys Walter T. Clark and Dan C. Bolton represent the Plaintiff in the case.
The lawsuit claims that Johnathin Janes Onello was denied critical medical care for a near-fatal injury for 12 hours and tossed around in different cells while his pleas for help were repeatedly ignored, the “Sheriffs” in the John J. Benoit Detention Center, in Indio. showed a shocking and deliberate indifference to Onello’s serious medical needs—essentially torturing Onello while he suffered excruciating pain hour after hour—while wantonly and intentionally violating basic standards of decency in violation of the Eighth Amendment prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment, and well-established civil rights protections.
“Riverside County jails in recent years have been among the deadliest jails in the United States,” Bolton said in a prepared statement. “This action seeks to hold Riverside County accountable for the ongoing and brazen violation of civil rights of pretrial detainees.”
Onello was a misdemeanor pretrial detainee who was seriously beaten by two inmates in a supervised area with video surveillance, according to the lawsuit. Yet, no correctional officers intervened to stop the attack. After beginning to experience increasing and intolerable pain in his abdomen, his pleas for medical treatment were ignored by “Sheriffs.” Rather than provide the medical care he was constitutionally entitled to, Riverside County Sheriffs accused Onello of lying about his pain and refused to permit him to see a medical professional, according to the lawsuit.
Showing deliberate indifference to his need for immediate medical care, “Sheriffs” moved Onello to a separate holding cell and left him there for hours. Onello allegedly continued to beg for help. “Sheriffs” ignored his requests for medical help and accused him of faking his pain.
At one point, six “Sheriffs” came into the room, removed Plaintiff’s clothes, and threw him into a suicide prevention cell. Onello was kept in the cell for another extended period of time. Plaintiff had no way to contact anyone from inside the suicide prevention cell.
Eventually, after approximately 12 hours of suffering and begging for medical attention, the sheriffs took Onello to a waiting area at the jail and handcuffed him to a bench. After another approximately 90 minutes of waiting in intense pain, Onello was transported to JFK Memorial Hospital in a patrol vehicle.
Once he was in the Emergency Room at JFK Memorial Hospital, the medical providers determined that Onello was septic, with an infection spreading throughout his body, and that he needed emergency surgery. Despite the serious and life-threatening diagnosis, the medical providers had to demand that the “sheriffs” remove the chains and handcuffs on Plaintiff’s body.
Onello underwent two operations at JFK Memorial Hospital, including a splenectomy (surgical removal of the spleen) and an exploratory laparotomy (a procedure where the surgeon makes a large incision in the abdomen to directly examine the abdominal area).
Onello woke up from the surgery and found himself at Desert Regional Hospital in Palm Springs, where he had been air-lifted once stabilized. Plaintiff had 36 staples in his stomach, holding together a large incision from an emergency splenectomy and exploratory laparotomy, according to the lawsuit.
“Constitutional rights do not disappear at the jailhouse door.” Bolton said in a statement.
Image Sources
- RivCo Jail: RivCooooJai.com
Walter Clark Legal Group is proud to offer a scholarship opportunity available to students nationwide. Our firm’s American Public Service Scholarship encourages students to consider a career in public service and detail its importance. We hope this can help inspire the next generation of public servants and shine a light on what needs to be done to make a difference.
A chance for students considering a career in public service to reflect on their aspirations and actions to make a difference in the community.
To learn more about this scholarship and how to apply by January 31st, please visit our scholarship page for more details.
Our firm was excited to sponsor and participate in the 19th Annual Thanksgiving Day 5K, benefiting Martha’s Village & Kitchen in 2025.
Please visit our event page to learn more about the event and our work with Martha’s Village & Kitchen.
In an effort to help prevent impaired driving and reduce crashes this Independence Day holiday, Walter Clark Legal Group is offering its “Safe Ride Home Program” for free ride reimbursements. Walter Clark Legal Group founder Walter Clark says, “Our top priority is to save lives and keep our communities safe during high-risk holidays. The Safe Ride Home Program is a small but meaningful way to prevent tragedies caused by impaired driving.” The Safe Ride Home Program for Independence Day will be in effect from 10:00 p.m. on Friday, July 4th, through 3:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 5th.
Walter Clark Legal Group was proud to sponsor the Inland SoCal United Way Gala on May 2 at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage. Now in its second year since the merger of two local United Way organizations, the event brought together over 300 supporters to celebrate and fund programs that improve health, education, and financial stability. We’re especially proud to support United Way’s commitment to directing resources to smaller local nonprofits that often serve communities with the greatest unmet needs.
On April 9th, 2025, Walter Clark Legal Group had the honor to sponsor the Desert Cancer Foundation’s Corks & Cuisine annual event. This beautiful event raised funds to continue the good work of DCF. From silent auctions, to a golf car opportunity draw, this event was packed with exciting events for all 225 guests. We hope to continue to support the Desert Cancer Foundation in their future endeavors.
Walter Clark Legal Group has raised $777.77 for the Desert Mirage High School folklórico dance club. We are happy to support Assistant Principal Gustavo Sandoval and his club, so they are able to purchase new shoes and costumes so these students can perform at the best of their abilities.
Walter Clark Legal Group is proud to support Coachella Valley High School’s Women’s Empowerment Club by donating to their fund for their trip to a leadership conference in Washington, D.C. this week. Christina Kreiss, an attorney with Walter Clark Legal Group who grew up in the East Valley, shares her excitement about the change: “I know growing up, there were none of these community programs and it’s very exciting to see that it’s now changing.”
Our firm was thrilled to sponsor the 20th Annual Academic WorldQuest. Seven Coachella Valley high schools competed at the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus. Congratulations to the winners from Palm Desert High School, Sareen Bhakta, Kiamehr Karagah, Shaurya Mahajan, Tilda Rector, and Coach Patricia Lizza. We offer our praise to all participating students in this year’s competition.
Walter Clark Legal Group was proud to support the Team Mom Charities’ Black History Month Food Drive to help address the critical shortage facing local food banks. This event took place from February 24th to February 28th, 2025. We are grateful that we were able to participate in this by being a Community Team Partner, and our Palm Springs office served as one of the drop-off locations for the food drive.
On Monday, December 16th, we were able to support California Highway Patrol’s CHiPS For Kids “Cover The Cruiser” holiday event! We had our local community bring us new, unwrapped toys to our office in Rancho Mirage. The festivities included photos with Santa, and themed coffees and pastries for sale.
The Family YMCA of the Desert was excited to host the 37th Annual Hoedown at Sundown at the Indian Wells Country Club. This community-driven event brings together friends and neighbors for a lively evening of cocktails, auctions, and entertainment. All proceeds will support local families by providing tuition assistance for YMCA programs, ensuring every child has access to opportunities for growth and development.
Please visit our event page to learn more about the event and our work with 37th Annual Hoedown at Sundown
Our firm was excited to sponsor and participate in the 18th Annual Thanksgiving Day 5K, benefitting Martha’s Village & Kitchen in 2024.
Please visit our event page to learn more about the event and our work with Martha’s Village & Kitchen.
We were thrilled to be the presenting sponsor for the 34th Annual UCPIE Bowl-a-Thon! This year’s retro luau-themed event was on September 21, 2024, at Palm Springs Lanes. We will cherish the fun-filled day and the opportunity we had to help raise funds for United Cerebral Palsy of the Inland Empire.
On February 15, 2014, at the Coachella Music Fest site, Walter Clark Legal Group is sponsoring the first ever Color Run in the Coachella Valley to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of the Coachella Valley.
Go to ColorInMotion5K.com to register or call Walter Clark Legal Group at (760) 394-6554 for information.
In April, 2009, Walter T. Clark was presented with one of five Jefferson Awards in Palm Springs, California.
Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest.
The professionals at Walter Clark Legal Group have seen firsthand the pain suffered by those who have lost a loved one in alcohol-related crashes, and we’re dedicated to fighting against drunk driving. As a result, we’ve designed and implemented our Safe Ride Home Taxi Program, which covers the cost of cab rides to help ensure everyone on the road gets home safely.
That’s why we proudly support the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s national enforcement effort—Drunk Driving. Over the Limit. Under Arrest.—that aims to crack down on impaired driving and reduce roadway fatalities.
Remember, even having one drink can affect your ability to drive. Do your part to help prevent California drunk driving accidents by planning ahead before you go out, designating a driver, and never getting behind the wheel if you’ve been drinking.
Walter Clark recently donated 50 new bicycle helmets to area children during the Family YMCA of the Desert’s eighth annual bike giveaway. Mr. Clark, who is also the trustee for the Family YMCA of the Desert, was joined by Desert Empire Insurance Services, Tri-a-Bike, and the Desert Bicycle Club in the giveaway.
Attorney Walter Clark was proud to sponsor the Celebrate CV on El Paseo event on December 30, 2022.
This event was a fun-filled night. We were excited to sponsor a special rideshare location and provide a promo code reimbursement for cabs and rideshares to help ensure everyone arrived home safely. To learn more about the details, please visit our Event Page
Our firm was excited to sponsor and participate in the 17th Annual Thanksgiving Day 5K, benefitting Martha’s Village & Kitchen in 2023. To learn more about the event and our work with Martha’s Village & Kitchen, please visit our event page.
