A disturbing incident at the United States Penitentiary in Florence, Colorado, has led to a severe punishment for a federal inmate. James Wilson, 36, of Pitt County, North Carolina, has been sentenced to serve an additional 46 months in prison for assaulting and resisting a federal employee.
On January 2, 2017, Wilson intentionally and forcibly assaulted, resisted, opposed, or impeded an officer with the Federal Bureau of Prisons at the United States Penitentiary in Florence, Colorado (USP Florence). The officer was ordered to stop and submit to a pat search before being escorted to a lieutenant’s holding cell. However, Wilson ignored the order and ran, further escalating the situation.
According to court filings, another correctional officer observed a weapon — a cell-made shank — in Wilson’s hand as he fled. After a struggle, Wilson was placed on the ground, where he continued to actively resist. During this time, he punched an officer multiple times in the chest. Fortunately, the officer’s protective vest, which had several indentations from the assault, protected him from sustaining substantial bodily injury.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Special Investigative Service of the Federal Bureau of Prisons investigated this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Juan G. Villaseñor and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Clay C. Cook prosecuted the case.
U.S. District Court Judge William J. Martínez handed down the sentencing on March 9, 2018. In addition to the 46-month prison sentence, Wilson will also serve three years of supervised release following his prison sentence.
The incident highlights the dangers that correctional officers face on a daily basis. The severe punishment handed down to Wilson serves as a reminder that such behavior will not be tolerated.
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Key Facts
- State: Colorado
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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