Former CO Sentenced for Assault on Inmate

James Kalbflesh, a former correctional officer at the Roxbury Correctional Institution (RCI) in Hagerstown, Maryland, was sentenced to 60 months in prison for his role in the brutal assault of Kenneth Davis, an inmate, on March 9, 2008.

A federal jury found Kalbflesh guilty of conspiracy against rights, deprivation of rights under color of law and conspiracy to obstruct justice. According to court documents, Kalbflesh and other officers at RCI met during the midnight shift and agreed to assault Davis in retaliation for a prior incident involving Davis and another officer.

‘Kalbflesh and other officers then entered Davis’ cell and assaulted him, subjecting him to a series of retaliatory attacks from officers of the preceding and following shifts,’ said Acting Assistant Attorney General Jocelyn Samuels for the Civil Rights Division.

Davis suffered severe injuries, including facial fractures, a broken rib and fractured vertebrae, leaving him unrecognizable. This case marks the final sentencing of the 16 former correctional officers from RCI who have been convicted and sentenced for their involvement in the series of beatings and coordinated cover-ups.

‘These officers betrayed the public trust by using their official positions to commit violent civil rights abuses and then tried to cover up their crimes,’ Samuels added.

The case was investigated by the Frederick Resident Agency of the FBI, and prosecuted by Special Litigation Counsel Forrest Christian and Trial Attorney Sanjay Patel of the Civil Rights Division.

Kalbflesh is the last remaining officer to be sentenced in the related RCI cases.

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