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Former Eastern Kentucky Correctional Officer Pleads Guilty to Covering Up Assault of Inmate
ASHLAND, Ky. – A shocking case of corruption has unfolded in Eastern Kentucky, with a former correctional officer pleading guilty to covering up the assault of an inmate.
Derek A. Mays, 32, a former officer at the Eastern Kentucky Correctional Center (EKCC), pleaded guilty to four counts of obstruction of justice in a court hearing on Monday before U.S. District Judge David Bunning.
According to his plea agreement, Mays admitted to witnessing the assault of an inmate on July 24, 2018, and then falsifying records to cover it up. The assault was perpetrated by three other EKCC correctional officers, and Mays’ subsequent actions were a clear attempt to conceal the truth.
Mays’ actions were not only a breach of trust but also a blatant disregard for the law. He falsified an Occurrence Report, stating that the inmate was uncooperative, which was a blatant lie. Additionally, he lied to his supervisor, a KSP detective, and a Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet investigator multiple times about the assault.
The investigation into Mays’ actions was conducted by the FBI, KSP, and the Kentucky Justice and Public Safety Cabinet. The United States was represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zach Dembo and Mary Melton.
Mays is scheduled to be sentenced on March 13, 2023, and faces a maximum of 20 years in prison for each of the four charges. Any sentence will be imposed by the Court, after its consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and the federal sentencing statutes.
The guilty plea is a significant step towards justice being served in this case. It highlights the importance of integrity and accountability within our correctional facilities. The people of Kentucky expect nothing but the highest standards of behavior from those entrusted with their safety and well-being.
Mandated Facts: Defendant/Respondent: Derek A. Mays, Exact Criminal Charges: Obstruction of Justice, City and State: Ashland, Kentucky, Exact Date: July 24, 2018, Sentence or Outcome: Scheduled sentencing on March 13, 2023, facing up to 20 years in prison for each charge.
Key Facts
- State: Kentucky
- Category: Public Corruption|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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