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Ex-Corrections Officer Sentenced to Life in Prison for Fatal Assault in Florida
A former Federal Bureau of Prisons officer was sentenced to life in prison for his role in the fatal assault of an inmate at the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex in Coleman, Fla.
Erin Sharma, a former corrections officer, was sentenced to serve a term of life in prison, three years of post-release supervision and 75 hours of community service on federal civil rights charges related to the fatal assault of federal inmate Richard Delano in March 2005.
The evidence at trial showed that on February 28, 2005, Sharma and a co-conspirator agreed to move Delano into the cell of another inmate in retaliation for a prior altercation between Delano and Sharma. Sharma also encouraged the inmate to assault Delano, which ultimately led to Delano’s death on March 17, 2005.
“The brave work of our nation’s law enforcement officers must be guided by adherence to the laws they are sworn to uphold, and the overwhelming majority of officers abide by that principle,” said Assistant Attorney General Thomas E. Perez. “When law enforcement officers betray the great trust placed in them by abusing the individuals in their custody, the Justice Department will vigorously investigate, prosecute and seek appropriate punishment for those actions.”
Sharma was found guilty of two felony federal civil rights charges by a federal jury in Orlando in July 2009. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bruce Ambrose and Carolyn Adams from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and Senior Litigation Counsel Gerard Hogan and Trial Attorney Douglas Kern from the Civil Rights Division. FBI Special Agent Jim Raby was the lead investigator on the case.
The Civil Rights Division is committed to the vigorous enforcement of every federal criminal civil rights statute, including those laws that prohibit the willful use of excessive force or other acts of misconduct by law enforcement or other government officials.
Defendant: Erin Sharma
Criminal Charges: Two felony federal civil rights charges related to the fatal assault of federal inmate Richard Delano
City and State: Orlando, Florida
Exact Date: February 28, 2005 (crime date)
Sentence: Life in prison, three years of post-release supervision and 75 hours of community service
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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