David Lee Bishop, an inmate, has been sentenced to life in prison for second-degree murder at the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex in Sumter County, Florida. According to court documents, on February 3, 2019, Bishop strangled his cellmate to death using a torn bedsheet. When correctional officers discovered his cellmate’s body, Bishop immediately admitted to the murder. At the time of the offense, Bishop was serving another life sentence for murder.
Bishop’s sentence was handed down on May 23, 2024. This conviction marks a significant result of a multi-year cooperative effort by federal law enforcement to prosecute criminal offenses originating from the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex.
Orlando, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced the results of this cooperative effort, highlighting the importance of holding those responsible for crimes committed within the prison accountable.
"The U.S. Attorney’s Office is dedicated to ensuring the safety and security of our correctional facilities and the communities they serve," said U.S. Attorney Handberg. "We will continue to work tirelessly to identify and prosecute those who commit crimes within our prisons."
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has prosecuted a wide range of criminal charges from the prison, including first/second degree murder; assault with the intent to commit murder; forcible assault on corrections staff; possession of controlled substances with the intent to distribute; sexual assault of an inmate by staff; possession of contraband; receipt of a bribe by a public official; and deprivation of civil rights under the color of law.
Other notable convictions from the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex include:
Fiona Eyana Palmer, a former correctional officer, was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison for sexual abuse of an inmate. According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Palmer engaged in sexual acts with an inmate at the prison between January 2018 and March 2019.
John Jones, an inmate, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for assaulting a federal correctional officer with a deadly weapon and possessing contraband in a federal penitentiary. According to court documents, Jones was serving a life sentence for two first-degree murder convictions when he stabbed his cellmate using a six-and-a-half-inch bladed weapon.
Wayne Grant, Jr., a former correctional officer, was sentenced to one year and eight months in prison for receiving a bribe as a public official. According to court documents, Grant agreed to smuggle methamphetamine into the prison for an inmate in exchange for money.
Miguel Hidalgo, a correctional officer, has been charged with deprivation of an inmate’s civil rights under the color of law. According to court records, on August 31, 2022, while acting under color of law, Hidalgo assaulted an inmate by repeatedly striking the inmate in the head and chest area, resulting in bodily injury.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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