Jermaine Sturgis, Conspiring to Obstruct Justice, Maryland 2026

Former Correctional Officer Sentenced for Role in Covering Up Inmate Assault

Baltimore, Maryland - A former Maryland correctional officer has been sentenced to 33 months in prison for his role in covering up an inmate assault. Jermaine Sturgis, 41, of Laurel, Delaware, was convicted of conspiring to obstruct justice and making false statements to a federal officer.

On July 12, 2021, one of Sturgis's junior officers used excessive force against an inmate at the Eastern Correctional Institution (ECI) in Westover, Maryland. After the incident, Sturgis and multiple officers conspired to delete a video recording that showed the inmate's injuries. The video also contained other evidence of the officer's use of force against the inmate.

During the investigation, Sturgis made false statements to state and federal investigators. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Maryland announced the sentence with Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon and Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul, FBI Baltimore Field Office.

U.S. District Judge Matthew J. Maddox sentenced Sturgis to 33 months in prison, followed by one year of supervised release. This sentence comes after a five-day trial in December 2025, where a federal jury convicted Sturgis for his role in the coverup.

Jermaine Sturgis, Conspiring to Obstruct Justice, Maryland 2026

The U.S. Attorney's Office commended the FBI and the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services for their work in the investigation. U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes also thanked Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul E. Budlow and Trial Attorney Anita Channapati for their efforts in prosecuting the case.

Judge Maddox previously sentenced four former ECI correctional officers who pled guilty for their involvement in the coverup. Samuel Warren, 40, of Westover, Maryland, received 15 months in federal prison for assaulting the inmate and obstruction of justice. Neil Daubach, 47, of Salisbury, Maryland, received 12 months and 1 day for witness tampering and obstruction of justice. David Quillen, 40, of Ocean View, Delaware, received two years of probation with six months home detention for conspiracy and obstruction of justice. Daric Evans, 34, of Crisfield, Maryland, received two years of probation with three months home detention for conspiracy.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/former-correctional-officer-sentenced-role-covering-inmate-assault