Samuel J. Patrick, Assault, Kentucky 2021

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Defendant Name, Crime, Location, Year

Samuel J. Patrick, 41, and Clinton L. Pauley, 42, two former Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) corrections officers, have been sentenced for their roles in the assaults of inmates held at U.S. Penitentiary Big Sandy in Kentucky.

Patrick was sentenced to 36 months in prison followed by one year of supervised release, while Pauley received 40 months in prison followed by one year of supervised release. Both defendants pleaded guilty and testified against a third co-defendant at trial earlier this year.

According to court documents and evidence introduced at trial, Patrick and Pauley unlawfully used force to punish two inmates housed at Big Sandy. On March 30, 2021, the officers assaulted an inmate by spraying him in the face with pepper spray and kicking him in the head and upper body. Witnesses testified that the inmate was not a threat and was compliant, and was assaulted for walking too slowly to his cell.

On April 29, 2021, the officers assaulted a second inmate by elbowing him in the head and punching him in the body. The victim of that assault had requested protection from other inmates. When the victim revealed that he used to affiliate with Black gangs, Patrick referred to him as a “race traitor,” after which Patrick and Pauley both repeatedly struck him in the head and body.

The Justice Department will not tolerate abuse and misconduct at the Bureau of Prisons. “As today’s convictions demonstrate, we will hold accountable BOP employees who abuse their position of authority and those in their custody,” said Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke added, “Physical abuse and corruption by law enforcement officers is unacceptable no matter where it occurs. Defendant Patrick’s racially-charged and violent assault on one inmate was not only unlawful but morally reprehensible.”

Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz commented, “Patrick and Pauley engaged in egregious acts of violence towards inmates in their custody and care, and then tried to cover up their crimes. Today’s sentencing shows that assault of inmates will not be tolerated, and perpetrators will be held accountable.”

U.S. Attorney Carlton S. Shier IV concluded, “These defendants were charged with the custody and care of others; instead, they committed themselves to abusing those in their care, breaching the public trust, disserving the interests of true law enforcement and violating the civil rights of others.”