A handcuffed and shackled inmate at Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola was brutally beaten by supervisory correctional officers, then left to bleed while his attackers conspired to erase the crime. Former Captain SCOTTY KENNEDY, age 48, of Beebe, Arkansas, pled guilty Tuesday, November 1, 2016, to his role in the assault and subsequent cover-up—triggering a federal indictment against three higher-ranking officers who allegedly orchestrated the cover-up.
The beating, which left the inmate with documented bodily injury, was carried out by former Major DANIEL DAVIS, age 40, of Loranger, Louisiana, and former Captains JOHN SANDERS, 31, and JAMES SAVOY, 38, both of Marksville, Louisiana. A federal grand jury in the Middle District of Louisiana returned a multi-count indictment charging the trio with civil rights violations, conspiracy, falsifying records, perjury, and witness and evidence tampering.
According to the indictment, DAVIS, SANDERS, and SAVOY invented a false narrative claiming the inmate had left his cell and fought with officers—justifying the use of force. In reality, the man was restrained when the beating occurred. To sell the lie, the officers allegedly ordered subordinates to clean up blood before internal investigators arrived, filed falsified incident reports, and instructed staff to lie during investigations.
The corruption reached into federal court, where at least one defendant is accused of committing perjury during a civil proceeding related to the incident. Evidence was altered, testimony was coached, and the entire chain of accountability was weaponized to protect the perpetrators. The Justice Department has labeled the conduct a breach of public trust and a direct assault on the rule of law.
U.S. Attorney Walt Green stated: “It is a sad day whenever a member of law enforcement engages in wrongdoing. In addition to the direct harm caused to a victim, such wrongdoing taints the vast majority of officers who fulfill their mission with honesty and integrity. Today’s indictment reinforces that no one is above the law.”
The case is being investigated by the FBI’s Baton Rouge Office and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Frederick A. Menner, Jr. of the Middle District of Louisiana and Trial Attorney Christopher J. Perras of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section. NOTE: An indictment is an accusation by the Grand Jury. Each defendant is presumed innocent until and unless adjudicated guilty at trial or through a guilty plea.
Related Federal Cases
- Stone County Deputy Sentenced for Inmate Assault Scheme · Arkansas
- Shirley Whittington Convicted of Wire Fraud in Angola Scam · Louisiana
- Ex-Captain Mark Frederick Guilty in Jail Assault Cover-Up · Louisiana
- Hot Springs Man Gets 27 Months for PPP & UI Fraud · Arkansas
- Predators Target Teens in Ark-La-Tex Sextortion Ring · Arkansas
Key Facts
- State: Louisiana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source ↗
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