Ex-Deputy Jailer Carey Sentenced in Inmate Beating Plot

FRANKFORT, Ky. — A 31-year-old former Shelby County Deputy Jailer orchestrated a brutal inmate-on-inmate assault behind bars, directing a prisoner to attack a man he held a personal grudge against — now, William Anthony Carey is paying the price with 48 months in federal prison. U.S. District Judge Gregory F. VanTatenhove handed down the sentence Monday, marking a rare federal conviction for a jailer who weaponized custody against the vulnerable.

According to court records, Corey Lynn Hopper, 30, and another inmate were housed together at the Shelby County Detention Center in Shelbyville, Kentucky. Carey, then sworn to uphold order and safety, instead exploited his power. He confessed to approaching Hopper with a vendetta, instructing him to ‘take care of’ the other inmate. That night, while the victim slept, Hopper and several others launched a vicious assault — punching and kicking him repeatedly, leaving him with shattered facial bones and missing teeth.

Carey pleaded guilty in March 2019 to violating the civil rights of an inmate under color of law, admitting he used his official position to incite violence. Hopper followed suit in January 2020, pleading guilty to aiding and abetting a state actor in depriving an inmate of his right to be free from unreasonable force. On July 15, 2020, Hopper was sentenced to 120 months in prison — five times longer than Carey — and three years of supervised release. Both men must serve at least 85 percent of their sentences under federal law.

Upon his release, Carey will face three years of supervision by the United States Probation Office. The case laid bare the rot that can fester when jailers turn predators, exploiting the very people they’re sworn to protect. Federal prosecutors called the scheme not just criminal, but a betrayal of the justice system’s foundation.

“These actions are not only illegal and morally wrong, they go against the oath this officer took when he entered the job,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division. “This division will continue to work to protect the civil rights of all Americans, and vigorously prosecute those who violate them.”

U.S. Attorney Robert M. Duncan, Jr. of the Eastern District of Kentucky condemned the abuse: “Excessive and unreasonable force perpetrated by, or directed by, a member of law enforcement is disgraceful and criminal.” Special Agent in Charge Robert Brown of the FBI Louisville Field Office added the Bureau remains committed to rooting out corruption through the Kentucky Public Corruption Civil Rights Task Force. The investigation was led by the FBI’s Louisville Field Division, with prosecution handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hydee Hawkins and Trial Attorney Anita Channapati. — END —