New charges in jail assault on Gustafson

A man arrested by Bend police last month is facing new charges in a Deschutes County Jail altercation, now accused of not only assaulting convicted sex-abuse inmate Richard Gustafson but taking items from him as well, an official said Wednesday.

Deputies working in the jail received a report around 1:20 p.m. on Nov. 13 of an assault that involved two inmates, said Capt. Shane Nelson.

Nelson said an initial investigation indicated that Luis Jimenez Gonzales Jr., 49, assaulted Richard Bridgeman Gustafson, 49, a former gymnastics coach who was scheduled to be sentenced that day on sex abuse, child pornography and a cocaine possession charge.

Gustafson was taken to St. Charles Bend for medical attention for his injuries and returned to the jail that same day, Nelson said. However, his sentencing was postponed, and took place Tuesday, when he received a prison term of nearly 33 years.

“The ongoing investigation also indicated Gonzales Jr. took items that belong to Gustafson,” Nelson said in a news release. As a result, Gonzales incurred new charges, and the district attorney’s office is reviewing the case, the captain added.

Gonzales now faces charges of fourth-degree assault, menacing, theft by extortion and coercion in connection with the assault, Nelson said.

Jail records show Gonzales was arrested Oct. 14 by Bend police and is being held without bail on a parole violation. Other charges he faces include third-degree theft, second- and third-degree robbery and third-degree assault.