Eighth former west virginia correctional officer sentenced in fatal inmate assault case

BEAVER, W.Va. — A former correctional officer at the Southern Regional Jail has been sentenced to more than eight years in federal prison for his role in the 2022 assault that led to the death of an inmate identified as Q.B., the U.S. Department of Justice announced.

Andrew Fleshman, 22, was sentenced to eight years and four months after pleading guilty to participating in the beating of Q.B. while the inmate was handcuffed and restrained. According to court records, Fleshman and others attacked Q.B. in an interview room to punish him for attempting to leave his assigned housing area.

Fleshman is the eighth former officer to be sentenced in connection with the case. Several others have already received prison terms ranging from three to 21 years. The highest sentence was handed to Johnathan Walters, who received 21 years. Other former officers sentenced include Mark Holdren (20 years), Corey Snyder (19 years, 7 months), Steven Wimmer (9 years), Ashley Toney (6.5 years), and Jacob Boothe (3 years).

Former Lieutenant Chad Lester was convicted at trial for obstruction of justice and sentenced to 17.5 years for his role in covering up the incident.

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