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Ex-Kentucky Corrections Sergeant Sentenced to 7 Years for Allowing Brutal Beating of Handcuffed Inmate
A former Kentucky corrections sergeant who failed to intervene during a brutal beating of a handcuffed inmate has been sentenced to 84 months in prison.
Eric L. Nantell, 48, was convicted of one count of deprivation of civil rights for his failure to stop the assault, two counts of obstruction of justice for misleading state investigators, and one count of making false statements to a special agent of the FBI, according to the Department of Justice.
Nantell, who was a sergeant at the Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex (EKCC), stood by while three officers repeatedly punched and kicked the inmate in the head and back in a prison shower cell. He then joined in a cover-up scheme to hide the truth, lying to officers of both agencies and a special agent of the FBI.
“As the vicious beating of a handcuffed, leg-shackled inmate unfolded, this defendant failed to intervene to stop the assault and then abused his power by obstructing the investigation into the crime,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
“Instead of protecting someone in his custody and care or supervising others under his command, he turned a blind eye to a brutal beating and then tried to cover it up,” said U.S. Attorney Carlton S. Shier IV for the Eastern District of Kentucky. “That’s not law enforcement; that’s disgraceful criminal conduct.”
The FBI Louisville Field Office investigated the case, which also resulted in the conviction of six other officers who previously pleaded guilty and were sentenced for their roles in the assault and cover-up.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary Dembo for the Eastern District of Kentucky and Trial Attorney Thomas Johnson of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division prosecuted the case, with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorney Mary Melton for the Eastern District of Kentucky.
Nantell’s sentence was the latest in a series of convictions related to the assault and cover-up, which involved a non-violent inmate who was lying face-down in a prison shower cell when the attack occurred.
The case is a stark reminder of the need for law enforcement officials to uphold their duty to protect the civil rights of those in their custody, and to hold accountable those who fail to do so.
Key Facts
- State: Kentucky
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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