Shelley Griffith, 29, a former Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) officer, was sentenced today in Jackson, Mississippi, by Chief U.S. District Judge Daniel P. Jordan II of the Southern District of Mississippi to serve 70 months in prison for her role in assaulting an inmate at the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility (CMCF) in Rankin County, Mississippi.

Griffith pled guilty on Dec. 14, 2017, to violating the civil rights of an inmate by using excessive force against him.

“This type of behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated by the Department of Justice,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. “The Civil Rights Division is committed to prosecuting those who violate the civil rights of others.”

“Violating a person’s civil rights, whether the person is incarcerated or not, is a serious offense and only damages the already delicate relationship between corrections officers and inmates,” said Special Agent in Charge Michelle A. Sutphin of the FBI’s Jackson Division. “The FBI will continue working with our partner agencies to investigate violations of civil rights within Mississippi prisons.”

According to the Criminal Information, on May 25, 2016, Griffith assaulted the inmate, identified as “L.H.,” by kicking, punching, and stomping on him. Griffith’s assault resulted in bodily injury to “L.H.” and involved the use of a dangerous weapon. At the time of the incident, Griffith was working as a corrections officer at CMCF in Rankin County, Mississippi.

Two other former MDOC officers, Reginald Brown and Sharalyn McClain, have pled guilty to violating the civil rights of “L.H.” based on their own conduct during the assault.  Brown was sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 60 months. McClain will be sentenced on March 20, 2020. 

This case was investigated by the FBI’s Jackson, Mississippi, Field Office. Special Litigation Counsel Julia Gegenheimer and Trial Attorneys Cameron Bell and Mary J. Hahn of the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Glenda Haynes of Southern District of Mississippi prosecuted the case.

 

WASHINGTON – Sharalyn McClain, 29, pleaded guilty today to violating the civil rights of an inmate by unlawfully assaulting him while McClain was serving as a correctional officer at the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility (CMCF). 

The plea was announced by Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney D. Michael Hurst Jr. for the Southern District of Mississippi, and FBI Jackson Special Agent in Charge Michelle A. Sutphin.

With her guilty plea, McClain admitted that, on May 25, 2016, she entered the cell of L.H., an inmate at CMCF. Along with two other correctional officers, Reginald Brown and Shelly Griffith, McClain punched, kicked, and stomped on L.H., while he laid face down, barely moving, on a mattress on the floor of his cell. McClain and the other two officers wore boots while they did this. While punching, kicking, and stomping on L.H., McClain knew that he did not pose a threat.  

“A correctional officer who unjustifiably assaults an inmate in his custody betrays the trust placed in those who hold positions of power and authority,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department is committed to protecting the constitutional rights of every person and will continue to vigorously prosecute these violations.”

“Our agents and prosecutors should be commended for investigating and bringing these corrupt officials to justice,” said U.S. Attorney D. Michael Hurst Jr. for the Southern District of Mississippi. “Those who abuse their power will not escape the long arm of the law. Our office will continue to fight for and protect the civil rights of everyone.”

“Officers within our corrections facilities are critical to public safety and are sworn to uphold the safety of the inmates under their control,” said Special Agent in Charge Michelle A. Sutphin of the FBI Jackson Field Office. “In cases like this, the abuse of the authority given to them not only deteriorates the trust between inmates and the ethical corrections officers protecting them, but also that of the public overall. Civil rights investigations are a top priority for the FBI in Mississippi, and we will continue pursuing anyone that violates the rights of any Mississippian.”

Defendants Brown and Griffith previously pleaded guilty for their roles in the assault. Defendant Brown has already been sentenced to serve five years in prison. Defendant Griffith is still awaiting sentencing. Defendant McClain faces a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment. A sentencing date has been set for Feb. 7, 2020.   

This case was investigated by the FBI’s Jackson, Mississippi, Field Office. Special Litigation Counsel Julia Gegenheimer, and Trial Attorneys Mary Hahn and Cameron Bell of the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Glenda Haynes of Southern District of Mississippi, are prosecuting the case.

WASHINGTON – The Honorable Chief Judge Daniel P. Jordan III, of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi, sentenced Defendant Reginald Laterry Brown, 27, a former Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) officer, to serve five years imprisonment for violating the civil rights of an inmate housed at the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility (CMCF). Brown previously pled guilty on Nov. 16, 2018, to assaulting the victim, identified as L.H., by kicking him, stomping on him, and punching him. Brown’s assault resulted in bodily injury to L.H. and involved the use of a dangerous weapon. At the time of the incident, Brown was working as a corrections officer at CMCF in Rankin County, Mississippi.

“A correctional officer who inflicts cruel and unusual punishment on an inmate in his custody betrays the trust placed in those who hold positions of power and authority,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. “The Justice Department is committed to protecting the constitutional rights of every person and holding officers who break the law accountable.”

“This office will continue to vigorously prosecute those who betray their sacred oath and violate our criminal laws,” said U.S. Attorney Mike Hurst of the Southern District of Mississippi. “I want to thank our prosecutors, DOJ trial attorneys, and the agents who brought this man to justice.  Without their diligent effort, these ugly abuses may never have come to light and this defendant would not have been held accountable.  An abuse of power is an abuse of our system, and such abuses will not be tolerated in this district.”

“When correctional officers fail to uphold their oath of office and the rights of those they are sworn to protect, it undermines the criminal justice system as a whole,” said Christopher Freeze, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Mississippi. “This sentencing should send a clear message that the FBI takes these allegations seriously, and that civil rights investigations remain a top priority for the FBI.”

This case was investigated by the FBI’s Jackson, Mississippi Field Office. Trial Attorney Julia Gegenheimer of the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Glenda Haynes of Southern District of Mississippi prosecuted the case.