Daniel Mitchell, who previously served as a lieutenant at the Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP), recently pleaded guilty to conspiring to violate the civil rights of an inmate.
This case sheds light on the disturbing abuse of power within the prison system, as Mitchell’s actions were seen as a significant breach of the responsibilities entrusted to law enforcement officers.
Statement from the Justice Department
Kristen Clarke, the Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, strongly condemned Mitchell’s actions.
She emphasized that law enforcement officers, including those at the FBOP, must never take the law into their own hands.
“We will aggressively prosecute those who misuse their power, whether they are federal or local law enforcement officials,” she stated.
The Seriousness of Officer Misconduct
U.S. Attorney Michael F. Easley Jr., from the Eastern District of North Carolina, also weighed in on the matter, stressing the dangerous nature of correctional work.
While recognizing that correctional officers face tough and high-risk environments, he pointed out that misconduct—such as using excessive force against inmates—undermines the rule of law and can endanger the safety of fellow officers.
He assured that the Justice Department will not tolerate such behavior in prisons and will take action to maintain safety and uphold justice.
Violent Retaliation Against an Inmate
Timothy C. Edmiston, Special Agent in Charge of the Justice Department’s Office of the Inspector General (OIG), condemned Mitchell’s plan to retaliate violently against an inmate.
Rather than following the proper disciplinary procedures, Mitchell and a co-conspirator arranged for the inmate, K.G., to be physically attacked.
Edmiston described how this attack violated K.G.’s civil rights and went against everything the FBOP employees are sworn to uphold.
Details of the Incident
According to court documents, the incident took place on December 8, 2021, while Mitchell was supervising the special housing unit at the Federal Correctional Institution Butner Medium II.
Inmate K.G. had allegedly engaged in a sexual act in front of a female officer during her rounds, leading to an immediate report.
While the FBOP typically follows a formal process for such allegations, Mitchell and his co-conspirator decided to handle the situation outside the rules.
Rather than documenting the incident and going through the official disciplinary process, Mitchell instructed the co-conspirator to take K.G. to a holding cell.
There, the co-conspirator physically assaulted K.G. by striking and kicking him. Although other officers intervened, the inmate sustained minor injuries and later reported back pain due to the incident.
Investigation and Admission
The abuse was eventually reported, and the Justice Department’s Office of the Inspector General launched an investigation.
During interviews with several officers, they confirmed that co-conspirator 1 had assaulted K.G. and that Mitchell had met with him beforehand to plan the attack.
Both Mitchell and the co-conspirator later admitted their roles in the assault.
Upcoming Sentencing and Legal Consequences
Mitchell’s sentencing is scheduled for March 31, 2025. He faces up to 10 years in prison for his actions.
The judge will determine his sentence based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other legal factors.
The case was investigated by the Justice Department’s Office of the Inspector General, with prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jake D. Pugh and Trial Attorney Eric Peffley from the Civil Rights Division.
The case underscores the serious consequences of misconduct within the prison system and the ongoing commitment to protecting inmates’ rights.
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