According to the indictment, on May 15, 2022, the inmate, Timothy Leak, 47, refused the officer’s orders to wear his mask and return to his cell. Instead, he became aggressive, and ran to a nearby room on the housing unit. As the officer approached Leak from the room, he rushed toward her and slammed the heavy metal door on the officer’s arm, pinning it in the door. Throughout this altercation, Leak was verbally aggressive toward the officer. The officer was only able to free her arm after calling for assistance from other staff members. As a result of this contact, the officer suffered injuries to her arm that ultimately required surgical repair.
Thomas Scarantino, Complex Warden at FCC Butner stated, “I would like to thank the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina for their continued support in prosecuting these cases. I would also like to thank the legal team and staff at FCC Butner who have assisted with this case. I have zero tolerance for inmates assaulting, resisting, or impeding the staff members who work tirelessly at FCC Butner.”
Citing Leak’s criminal history and the severity of the assault, Unites States Federal District Court Judge James C. Dever III sentenced Leak to 21 months in prison. Leak previously pled guilty to the count of Assault on a Federal Officer on August 30, 2023.
Michael Easley, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina made the announcement. The Federal Bureau of Prisons investigated the case and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney
Related court documents and information are located on the website of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina or on PACER by searching for Case No. 5:22-cr-00263-D-RN.