Inmates - Shore News Network

Former federal corrections officer pleads guilty to sexual abuse of inmates

Breaking Local News ReportSeptember 14, 20240

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Jacob Salcido, 40, a former correctional officer at the Federal Medical Center (FMC) in Lexington, pleaded guilty today to three counts of sexual abuse of a ward, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Salcido admitted to engaging in sexual acts with three female inmates between Sept. 5, 2020, and Dec. 21, 2020, while employed as a correctional officer. As part of his plea agreement, Salcido acknowledged that he was fully aware, based on his training and experience, that any sexual contact between FMC staff and inmates is strictly prohibited and constitutes a federal crime. Despite this,

New Jersey Correctional Officer Charged with Violating Inmate’s Rights

Breaking Local News ReportAugust 11, 20240

PHILADELPHIA, PA – United States Attorney Jacqueline C. Romero has announced the arrest and indictment of Ivory S. Cousins, a 35-year-old correctional officer from West Deptford, New Jersey. Cousins is charged with multiple offenses, including violating the constitutional rights of an inmate at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility in Philadelphia. The charges stem from an incident in August 2019, where Cousins allegedly ignored the serious injuries of an inmate who had been assaulted by other inmates. According to the indictment, Cousins displayed deliberate indifference to the inmate’s medical needs, failed to secure medical attention, and even obstructed a superior officer from

Multiple West Virginia Inmates Sentenced for Jailhouse Drug Trafficking Operation

Breaking Local News ReportAugust 10, 20240

CLARKSBURG, WV – Eleven inmates in the Northern District of West Virginia have been sentenced for their involvement in smuggling or attempting to smuggle drugs into federal prisons, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of West Virginia. The court proceedings revealed that these inmates were involved in smuggling activities at Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Hazelton, Secure Female Facility (SFF) Hazelton, and Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Gilmer. As a result, additional sentences were imposed on the following individuals: Angela Oxendine, 44, an inmate at SFF Hazelton, received an additional three months. Angela Woolwine, 35, also an inmate

Police Say Opioid Withdrawl Contributed to Female Inmate’s COVID-19 Related Death

Breaking Local News ReportJuly 21, 20240

BEL AIR, MD—The Office of the State Medical Examiner has determined that the death of Brittani Ugrotzi, a 33-year-old inmate at Harford County Detention Center (HCDC), was due to natural causes compounded by COVID-19 pneumonia and dehydration, complicated by opioid withdrawal. Ugrotzi died on May 7, 2024, marking the second COVID-19-related death at the facility since the pandemic began. Ugrotzi was found unresponsive in her cell at approximately 10:40 PM on May 7. Deputies and medical service providers at HCDC immediately administered lifesaving measures until medics arrived and continued their efforts. Despite these attempts, Ugrotzi was pronounced dead at the

Rikers Island Inmates Charged with Attempted Murder in Gang-Related Attack

Breaking Local News ReportMay 28, 20240

BRONX, NY – Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced the indictment of four Rikers Island inmates for a violent attack on another inmate, which authorities say could have been fatal had correction officers not intervened. The inmates, identified as Ahmel Addison, 21, Corey Henry, 21, Joseph Martinez, 20, and Camare Wesley, 20, face charges of second-degree attempted murder and additional offenses. The attack occurred on October 27 at the Rose M. Singer Center’s Enhanced Supervision Housing unit. According to DA Clark, Addison allegedly initiated the assault by slashing the victim, Ruben Morales, across the face after pulling a weapon

New Jersey Correctional Officer Charged for Role in Attacks on Inmates by Co-Workers

Law and Crime ReportApril 18, 20240

NEWARK, NJ — A Passaic County correctional officer, Lorenzo Bowden, 39, admitted to conspiracy to obstruct justice related to a civil rights investigation into the assault of a pretrial detainee. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger. Bowden pleaded guilty in Newark federal court before U.S. District Judge Michael E. Farbiarz. Bowden confessed to facilitating the transport of a detainee to a surveillance-free area of Passaic County Jail on January 23, 2021, where other officers then assaulted the detainee. U.S. Attorney Sellinger emphasized the betrayal of trust this act represented for law enforcement officers who are expected

Civil rights groups decry effort to punish US federal inmates for social media use

ReutersApril 1, 20240

By Sarah N. Lynch WASHINGTON (Reuters) – A proposed change to U.S. federal prison rules that would punish inmates for using social media or directing others to do so on their behalf could infringe on the free speech rights of people who advocate for incarcerated people, activists say. Civil liberties advocates are facing a Monday deadline to push the federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to back away from the proposed change, included in a planned overhaul of its disciplinary rules for the more than 155,000 inmates in its custody. Federal inmates are already banned from using cell phones and are

Indiana Corrections Officer Sentenced for Bribery and Smuggling Contraband to Inmates

Breaking Local News ReportMarch 21, 20240

TERRE HAUTE, Indiana — Jordan Kelsheimer, a 25-year-old former corrections officer from Blanford, Indiana, has been sentenced to eight months in federal prison after pleading guilty to accepting bribes as a public official. The sentencing took place in the Federal Correctional Complex in Terre Haute, Indiana, where Kelsheimer was previously employed by the United States Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons. Court records reveal that Kelsheimer began smuggling tobacco into the federal prison in 2019, a violation of federal prison regulations prohibiting inmate use of such products. The discovery of eight packs of Newport cigarettes and a series of

New Jersey Wants to Give Inmates Free Taxpayer-Funded Phone and Internet Services

Conservative TimesMarch 10, 20240

TRENTON, NJ – A groundbreaking bill is set to revolutionize communication for incarcerated individuals in New Jersey by mandating free access to telephone calls, video calls, and electronic mail. This initiative, applicable to adult and juvenile correctional facilities across the state, aims to alleviate the financial strain on families of incarcerated persons. Currently, incarcerated individuals face charges up to 11 cents per minute for domestic phone calls, with limited access to video calls and electronic mail, often at additional costs. The proposed bill, however, includes an appropriation of funds necessary for its implementation, as determined by the Commissioner of Corrections

Nine Inmates Indicted for Violent Attack on Fellow Prisoner at Rikers Island

Adam DevineFebruary 20, 20240

Bronx, NY – In a significant move against jail violence, Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced the indictment of nine Rikers Island inmates for a brutal assault. The inmates are charged with Attempted Gang Assault in the First Degree among other charges for an attack that left a fellow inmate unconscious with a broken nose. The assault, which occurred on December 25, 2023, at the Eric M. Taylor Center, involved the defendants punching, kicking, and stomping on the 39-year-old victim. The victim, who also was hit multiple times with a plastic chair, suffered severe injuries including a fractured nasal

Anne Arundel County Inmates Charged in Narcotics Smuggling

Jeff JonesJanuary 12, 20240

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Anne Arundel County Police, in collaboration with Maryland State Police and Anne Arundel County Department of Detention Facilities, charged three inmates for narcotics smuggling. The investigation, spanning from December 2023 to January, was part of the Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network. Charged inmates are Tyrone Edward Freeman, 39, of Lexington Park; Deontae Karon Robbins, 23, of Severn; and Dexter Deon Burnside, 26, of Annapolis. Investigations led to the recovery of several suboxone strips within the Anne Arundel County Detention Facility. This operation is a result of a joint effort under the Maryland Criminal Intelligence Network, supported by the

Former Correctional Officer Sentenced to 63 Months for Sexual Abuse of Two Female Inmates

Indira PatelDecember 2, 20230

A former federal correctional officer was sentenced today to 63 months in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, and a $25,000 special assessment for his sexually abusive conduct against two female victims who were serving prison sentences at Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Dublin. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers. John Bellhouse, 40, formerly of Pleasanton, California, was initially charged with sexual abuse of an inmate on Feb. 17, 2022. A federal grand jury issued a superseding indictment on Sept. 29, 2022, charging Bellhouse with two counts of sexual abuse of a ward

Four Inmates Sentenced to Prison for Possessing Weapons at FCI Beckley

Indira PatelNovember 17, 20230

BECKLEY, W.Va. – Today, inmates Rico Salguero, 40, Jamal Brooks, 26, and Jarvis Burl, 26, were each sentenced to one year and one day in prison and inmate John Durant, 34, was sentenced to one year and three months in prison for possession of a weapon by an inmate at a federal prison. Today’s sentences will run consecutive to the prison terms the inmates are currently serving, and will be followed by three years of supervised release. According to court documents and statements made in court, each inmate admitted to possessing a handcrafted weapon commonly known as a “shank,” at

Federal Correctional Officer Sentenced to 96 Months for Sexually Abusing Multiple Female Inmates

Indira PatelNovember 16, 20230

A former Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) correctional officer was sentenced today to 96 months in prison, followed by 10 years of supervised release, for sexually abusing multiple female inmates and making false statements while he was a correctional officer at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Dublin, California. Andrew Jones, 36, of Clovis, California, pleaded guilty to the charges on Aug. 17. Today’s sentence was handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers. “The egregious sexual abuse that took place at FCI Dublin was disgraceful and tragic, and the Justice Department will not rest until we have eliminated

Former Oregon Corrections Nurse Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Sexually Assaulting Nine Female Inmates

Indira PatelOctober 18, 20230

PORTLAND, Ore.—A former Oregon Department of Corrections employee was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison today for sexually assaulting nine female inmates while serving as a nurse at the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility, Oregon’s only women’s prison. Tony Daniel Klein, 39, of Clackamas County, Oregon, was sentenced to 360 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release. “Today’s sentence sends a clear message that using a position of authority to prey on individuals in custody will never be tolerated by the Department of Justice. Holding Tony Klein accountable for his crimes would not have been possible without the

Former Oregon Corrections Nurse Sentenced to 30 Years in Federal Prison for Sexually Assaulting Nine Female Inmates

Indira PatelOctober 18, 20230

PORTLAND, Ore.—A former Oregon Department of Corrections employee was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison today for sexually assaulting nine female inmates while serving as a nurse at the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility, Oregon’s only women’s prison. Tony Daniel Klein, 39, of Clackamas County, Oregon, was sentenced to 360 months in federal prison and five years’ supervised release. “Today’s sentence sends a clear message that using a position of authority to prey on individuals in custody will never be tolerated by the Department of Justice. Holding Tony Klein accountable for his crimes would not have been possible without the

Four Inmates, Including One Facing Murder Charges, Escape Georgia Jail

Jeff JonesOctober 17, 20230

MACON, GA – Authorities are in search of four men who escaped a central Georgia jail in the early hours of Monday. Bibb County Sheriff David Davis identified the escapees as Joey Fournier, Marc Kerry Anderson, Johnifer Dernard Barnwell, and Chavis Demaryo Stokes, one of whom is facing a murder charge. According to Sheriff Davis, jail staff noticed a breach in the perimeter fence at approximately 6 a.m. Monday. Upon reviewing video surveillance, they determined that the four inmates escaped around 3:30 a.m. via a window in a second-floor dayroom before making their way through the compromised fence. During a

Paraguay’s biggest prison set ablaze, rioting inmates take guards hostage

ReutersOctober 10, 20230

ASUNCION (Reuters) – Inmates at Paraguay’s largest prison rioted on Tuesday, taking 11 guards hostage and setting fire to facilities in the crowded Tacumbu penitentiary on the outskirts of the capital. Two hostages were later released as government and military forces responded to the revolt, according to Interior Minister Enrique Riera. He said two police officers were injured in the clashes. Tacumbu houses nearly 4,000 inmates in a ramshackle, tin-roof building and, according to local security experts, gangs exert near-total influence over life inside. Images from a Reuters photographer showed a shirtless inmate standing on top of a prison wall,

South Jersey Prison Guard Busted For Smuggling Weed and Smokes to Inmates

Charlie DwyerSeptember 21, 20230

MOUNT HOLLY, NJ – Abraham Olmedia, a former corrections officer at the Burlington County Jail, faces multiple charges for allegedly smuggling marijuana and tobacco into the facility and delivering it to an inmate for financial gain. Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw announced the charges of Official Misconduct (Second Degree), Conspiracy to Commit Official Misconduct (Second Degree), and Providing Contraband to an Inmate (Disorderly Persons Offense). Olmedia was arrested and processed at the Burlington County Courthouse. He has been released, and a Superior Court appearance is set for next month. The case will proceed to a grand jury for possible indictment. The

Nine Inmates Escape Pennsylvania Juvenile Detention Facility

Ryan DickinsonSeptember 18, 20230

MORGANTOWN, PA – All nine juveniles who escaped from Abraxas Academy detention center in Pennsylvania on Sunday night have been captured, according to Pennsylvania State Police. State Trooper David Beohm announced that each juvenile would be interviewed and charged with escape. “I know there’s stuff in the works right now to decide where they are going to go after that takes place,” said Beohm. Initially, four of the escapees were apprehended early Monday morning on Oak Grove Road. The juveniles had fled the facility at around 8:00 p.m. on Sunday after a riot broke out inside the center. State and

ACLU Sues Over State Law Barring Sex Change Surgery For Inmates

The Daily CallerAugust 28, 20230

ACLU Sues Over State Law Barring Sex Change Surgery For Inmates Lillian Tweten on August 28, 2023 The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) sued Indiana on Monday over the state’s law passed in July 2023 that prevents sex-change surgery for inmates, according to the Associated Press. The ACLU filed a lawsuit against the Indiana Department of Corrections (IDOC) on behalf of Jonathan C. Richardson, claiming that the state violated the 14th and Eighth Amendments by denying “medical procedures” to inmates based on gender identity, AP reported. Richardson is currently serving 55 years in prison for murdering his 11-month-old step-daughter in

EXCLUSIVE: Top GOP Rep Presses Biden Admin For Info On Unknown Number Of American Inmates In Dominican Republic

The Daily CallerAugust 27, 20230

EXCLUSIVE: Top GOP Rep Presses Biden Admin For Info On Unknown Number Of American Inmates In Dominican Republic Jake Smith on August 27, 2023 House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul pressed the Biden administration for information regarding the status of American prisoners in the Dominican Republic, in a letter sent to Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Wednesday. The number of American prisoners in the Dominican Republic is unknown, and the families of these prisoners have previously requested help from the Biden administration, according to McCaul’s letter. It is “shocking” that the Biden administration does not have more information

‘Rape Club’: Inmates Sue Federal Government For Allegedly Failing To Stop Sexual Abuse At Women’s Prison

The Daily CallerAugust 17, 20230

‘Rape Club’: Inmates Sue Federal Government For Allegedly Failing To Stop Sexual Abuse At Women’s Prison Brandon Poulter on August 17, 2023 Eight inmates at a federal San Francisco Bay Area women’s prison referred to as a “rape club” by both prisoners and workers filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the federal Bureau of Prisons alleging rampant sexual abuse at the prison, according to The Associated Press. The lawsuit filed by attorneys representing the inmates and women’s prison rights group California Coalition for Women Prisoners in Oakland names the current warden and 12 current or former prison guards and alleges that

Supreme Court Clears Way For Transgender Inmate’s Lawsuit To Continue Against Men’s Prison

The Daily CallerJune 30, 20230

Supreme Court Clears Way For Transgender Inmate’s Lawsuit To Continue Against Men’s Prison Mia Hernandez on June 30, 2023 The Supreme Court is letting a lower court order stand in the lawsuit filed by transgender woman, Kesha Williams, who allegedly suffers from gender dysphoria and is claiming that a Virginia men’s jail violated a federal law and discriminated against Williams based on disability. Williams was held in jail in Fairfax County, Virginia, for six months and has claimed that the treatment from the facility violated the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other laws due to delays in medical treatment

Rikers Island Inmates Indicted on Assault Charges for Beating Fellow Inmate

Adam DevineJune 24, 20230

BRONX, NY – Four Rikers Island inmates have been recently indicted for brutally beating a fellow inmate. The incident left the victim hospitalized with serious injuries, including a fractured rib and a lacerated spleen which had to be removed. Moquease Mendez, 18, Shatike Robinson, 23, Akeem Williams, 22, and Nicholas White, 24, are charged with first and second-degree assault, and gang assault. The attack occurred on May 17, inside the Eric M. Taylor Center. Mendez began the assault by throwing objects at and physically attacking the victim. The other defendants joined in, striking the victim multiple times. Mendez and Robinson