Randel Branscum, 56, a former chief sheriff’s deputy and jail administrator for the Stone County Sheriff’s Office in Mountain View, Arkansas, has been sentenced to 12 months and one day in prison for instructing a group of prisoners to beat another inmate and then arranging for the assault to occur.
According to court documents, Branscum admitted to approaching a group of inmates in cell 33 and telling them to ‘handle’ the victim. He then moved the victim into the cell and forced him inside when he attempted to leave. The victim was repeatedly punched and his head was knocked into a windowsill, causing a head wound and other injuries.
Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Vanita Gupta criticized Branscum’s actions, stating, ‘This corrections officer abused his power to order a violent assault against a prisoner.’
U.S. Attorney Christopher R. Thyer added, ‘This type of abuse of power and authority will never be tolerated by the citizens of Arkansas, or my office.’
Branscum’s sentencing occurred on March 2, 2016, and he was charged with ordering an inmate assault. The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section.
Two other inmates involved in the beating, Matthew McConniel and James Beckham, were also sentenced for the same offense and received terms of probation.
Branscum’s exact criminal charge was instructing a group of prisoners to assault another inmate. The incident occurred while he was acting under his authority as jail administrator.
Related Federal Cases
- Peter Francis Stager, Assaulting Officers with a Dangerous Weapon, Arkansas 2023 · Michigan
- Richard Barnett, Capitol Breach, Arkansas 2021 · District of Columbia
- Levi White, Excessive Force, Arkansas 2022 · Arkansas
- Christopher Helmick, Child Sex Abuse, West Virginia 2018 · Florida
- Samuel Calvin Richardson, Jr., Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Arkansas 2015 · Illinois
Key Facts
- State: Arkansas
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
