PRESTON COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Three former correctional officers from the United States Penitentiary at Hazelton have pleaded guilty to charges related to the violation of civil rights and the assault of an inmate, U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld announced.
Robert David Sims, 42, from Bruceton Mills, West Virginia, admitted guilt to assault resulting in serious bodily injury.
During a strip search, Sims repeatedly struck the inmate, injuring his face, head, arms, and torso, according to court records.
Joshua David Sines, 39, of Friendsville, Maryland, pleaded guilty to conspiring to alter and falsify records.
Prosecutors said Sines falsified reports on the incident to shield himself and Sims from possible disciplinary action or prosecution.
Josiah Dandue Redd, 36, of Morgantown, West Virginia, admitted to making a false statement to federal agents and to being an accessory after the fact.
Statements made in court revealed that Redd provided false reports to protect Sims and Sines.
“The defendants abused their powers as correctional officers and now they will be held to account,” U.S. Attorney Ihlenfeld said. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to prosecute officers who misuse their authority and violate the rights of people in their custody.”
The three former officers have agreed to resign from their positions within the Bureau of Prisons and are prohibited from seeking employment with the U.S. Department of Justice, the Bureau of Prisons, or any federal prison contractor.
Timothy C. Edmiston, Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General for the Mid-Atlantic Region, stated:
“We expect Correctional Officers to conduct themselves with integrity and to foster safe and humane conditions of confinement for inmates. Instead, Sims violently assaulted an inmate, and Sines and Redd conspired to cover it up in an attempt to avoid punishment. These acts will not be tolerated.”
Sims faces up to 10 years in federal prison, Sines up to five years, and Redd up to five years for the false statement charge and six months for the accessory charge.
Sentencing will be determined by a federal district court judge, who will consider the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is also seeking information from any individuals who may have witnessed or been victims of assault at FCC Hazelton.
Witnesses or victims are encouraged to contact federal prosecutors in the Northern District of West Virginia at 1-855-WVA-FEDS or by emailing wvafeds@usdoj.gov.
