CLARKSBURG, W.Va (WDTV) – Three former USP Hazelton correctional officers admitted their roles in civil rights violations involving assault on a prisonerthe U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Monday.

Robert Sims, 42, of Bruceton Mills, punched the inmate in the face, head, arms and torso, causing serious injury, during a strip search, according to court documents.

Sims pleaded guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury.

In October, Sims was also arrested for violating the terms of his federal release and was also charged with interfering with a witnessaccording to Acting U.S. Marshal Terry Moore. It is unclear how these additional charges will affect his plea and/or sentencing on these charges.

Joshua Sines, 39, of Friendsville, Md., falsified reports of the incident to protect himself and Sims from disciplinary action or prosecution, officials said.

Sines pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit tampering and falsification of records.

Josiah Redd, 36, of Morgantown, also falsified reports and statements to officers about the incident in order to protect Sims and Sines, according to statements made in court.

Redd pleaded guilty to making a false statement to a federal agent and accessory after the fact to assault by striking, beating or injuring.

“The defendants abused their powers as correctional officers and they will now be held accountable,” said U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to prosecute officers who abuse their authority and violate the rights of those in their custody. »

Sims, Sines and Redd agreed to resign from their positions at the Bureau of Prisons and not to seek or obtain future employment with the U.S. Department of Justice, the Bureau of Prisons or any private prison or facility community corrections facility that is committed to housing federal inmates. prisoners.

Sims faces up to 10 years in federal prison, Sines up to five years and Redd up to five years on the false statement charge and up to six months on the accessory charge.

The sentence will be determined later, authorities said.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office continues to seek information from individuals who may have witnessed or experienced physical assaults while incarcerated at FCC Hazelton. Any witnesses or victims of such crimes or attempts to cover up such crimes are urged to contact federal prosecutors in the Northern District of West Virginia by calling 1-855-WVA-FEDS or emailing wvafeds@usdoj. gov.

Previous coverage:

UPDATE: Former Hazelton prison guard arrested for violating federal conditions of release and witness tampering

2 local corrections officers charged with violating prisoner’s civil rights

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