MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — A former Alabama corrections supervisor was indicted for failing to stop a sergeant under his command from kicking and beating a handcuffed inmate, federal prosecutors announced Wednesday.
Federal prosecutors announced the indictment of 39-year-old Willie Burks, who was a lieutenant with the Alabama Department of Corrections. He was also charged with making false statements to a grand jury.
It was not immediately clear if he has an attorney. Burks faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.
Three former and current corrections officers have previously pleaded guilty in connection with the February assault at the Elmore Correctional Facility.
Former Alabama Department of Corrections Sgt. Ulysses Oliver pleaded guilty to unlawfully assaulting two handcuffed inmates. Corrections Officers Briana Mosley and Leon Williams pleaded guilty for failing to intervene.
According to his guilty plea, Oliver assaulted two handcuffed inmates after taking them out of an observation room.
Prosecutors said he kicked the men and used his collapsible baton to hit one inmate approximately 19 times and the other about 10 times.
Prosecutors said Oliver assaulted the inmates because he believed they had brought contraband into the prison.