Deputies: Pasco inmate floods cell block, says he was thirsty

LAND O'LAKES — A Pasco County jail inmate used a cord to break a ceiling sprinkler on Saturday, flooding a dozen cells and soaking medical and kitchen units below his floor, the Sheriff's Office said.

Kevin Roach, 21, told jail deputies he removed the sprinkler's temperature gauge around 2 p.m. because he was thirsty, an arrest report states. Deputies wrote Roach has also flooded his cell toilet and tried to flood a shower while bathing.

Roach was charged with criminal mischief and obstructing fire extinguishment equipment. He has been in the jail since May, when he was arrested on charges he stole, stripped and sunk docked boats as part of a New Port Richey boat theft ring. He is being held without bond.