CLARKSBURG, W. Va. — Three former United States Penitentiary Hazelton correctional officers have admitted to their roles in the assault of a prisoner.
Robert David Sims, 42, of Bruceton Mills, pled guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury. Court documents said Sims repeatedly struck him in the face, head, arms, and torso, causing significant injuries during a strip search of an inmate.
Joshua David Sines, 39, of Friendsville, Maryland, pled guilty to conspiring to commit an alteration and falsification of records. Sines falsified reports in the attack in order to protect himself and Sims from disciplinary action or prosecution.
Josiah Dandue Redd, 36, of Morgantown, pled guilty to making a false statement to a federal agent and accessory after the fact to an assault by striking, beating, or wounding. The official record said Redd also falsified reports and statements to agents about the incident to protect Sims and Sines.
“The defendants abused their powers as correctional officers and now they will be held to account,” said U.S. Attorney William Ihlenfeld. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to prosecute officers who misuse their authority and violate the rights of people in their custody.”
Sims, Sines, and Redd have resigned and have agreed not to seek employment U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Prisons, or any private prison or community corrections center that contracts to house federal prisoners in the future.
Sims faces up to 10 years in federal prison. Sines is facing up to five years. Redd faces up to five years for the false statement charge and up to six months for the accessory charge.