Tavoris Bottley, Violating Civil Rights, Texas 2017

A former federal correctional officer is facing federal charges after allegedly beating a defenseless inmate at the Federal Correctional Complex in Beaumont, Texas, then lying to cover his tracks. Tavoris Bottley, 33, was indicted Thursday on charges of violating the inmate’s civil rights and obstructing justice — accused of punching the prisoner in the head three times during a 2017 encounter captured on surveillance that contradicted his official account.

According to the indictment unsealed yesterday, Bottley was on duty at FCC Beaumont on June 8, 2017, when he launched an unprovoked assault on the inmate. Rather than reporting the violence, Bottley is accused of filing a falsified incident report that claimed the inmate attempted to attack staff — a lie investigators say was quickly exposed by video evidence and witness statements.

The Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General conducted a sweeping probe that dismantled Bottley’s false narrative. Investigators found no indication the inmate posed a threat. Instead, footage showed Bottley delivering multiple closed-fist blows to the inmate’s head while the man was restrained and compliant. The assault occurred in a high-security unit where such violence is strictly prohibited.

Bottley now faces a maximum of 10 years in prison for the civil rights violation and up to 20 years for obstruction of justice. Each count carries a potential fine of $250,000. If convicted, he would serve federal time for crimes committed under the color of law — a rare but increasingly prosecuted offense as watchdogs crack down on correctional abuse.

“Officers sworn to uphold the law cannot become the lawbreakers,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. “When federal agents use their power to harm, not protect, we will hold them accountable.” U.S. Attorney Joseph D. Brown echoed that stance, calling the alleged actions “a betrayal of public trust.”

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Anderson of the Eastern District of Texas and Trial Attorney Nicholas Reddick of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. An indictment is not a conviction — Tavoris Bottley is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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