By: Ethan Kramer
FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) – A Fargo man accused of killing and dismembering a 25-year-old woman is behind bars on a five-million-dollar bond, with jail officials revealing new details about how inmates charged with violent crimes are housed and monitored.
Joshua Hite, 21, is accused of killing 25-year-old Isadora Wengel, then allegedly dismembering her body and disposing of it in unknown locations.
Captain Andrew Frobig, jail administrator for the Cass County Sheriff’s Office, said violent charges mean careful placement decisions.
“Anybody with what’s considered to be a violent felony level offense is going to be housed with other people that have serious conduct issues or also here for violent charges,” Frobig said.
At the Cass County jail, Hite is housed in a single cell by himself, classified as maximum custody, getting just a few hours out each day.
“He’ll be housed that would be a minimum would be a maximum security placement in the general population which means he’s out in an area that has fewer inmates but those fewer inmates are also charged with either similar charges or else their behavior inside the jail has been quite negative,” said Frobig.
Jail officials continuously watch for safety concerns among all inmates.
“We’re monitoring not only the comments or the actions of the other inmates but also his own,” said Frobig. “An important consideration is also part of that interview process is simply asking him, any inmate. Do you feel safe? What would you prefer? We have several inmates in custody at any given time that prefer to be on the restrictive housing where they want to be out by themselves because they don’t feel safe for one reason or another.”
Hite will remain in maximum custody for at least 30 days before he can be reassessed. If his behavior changes or conflicts arise, jail officials can immediately move him to more secure housing.
Hite is due in court March 11.
