USP-Atlanta Inmate Cody Todd Gets 6+ Years for Brutal Assault

ATLANTA, GA – Cody Ryan Todd, 34, of Carrollton, Georgia, is headed back to a federal cage – on top of the one he’s already in. A jury found Todd guilty on February 1, 2024, and U.S. District Judge Victoria M. Calvert handed down a sentence of six years and five months in prison for the brutal assault of a Bureau of Prisons correctional officer at the U.S. Penitentiary in Atlanta (USP-Atlanta). Approximately two years and eleven months of this sentence will run concurrently with a separate 16-year sentence Todd is already serving for racketeering.

The January 28, 2021 attack wasn’t some minor scuffle. According to court documents, Todd, then a pretrial detainee, launched a vicious assault on the officer, striking him in the face and knocking him to the ground. He continued to beat the officer repeatedly while he was incapacitated, leaving the guard with significant injuries. The details paint a picture of calculated, cold-blooded violence – even inside a federal prison.

U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan didn’t mince words: “This defendant’s pattern of violent behavior continued while he was in custody, resulting in a vicious attack that left a correctional officer seriously injured,” he stated. “Correctional officers must be permitted to do their jobs without the threat or fear of violence, and those who bring them harm will be prosecuted.” The message is clear: attacking those tasked with keeping the system running will not be tolerated.

But this wasn’t a spontaneous outburst. Todd, a known member of the Ghost Face Gangsters, was already facing serious charges related to racketeering activity – including murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, and robbery. This assault simply added another layer to an already extensive criminal record, which includes four prior convictions for battery. The feds aren’t buying his excuses, and neither are we.

The FBI and the Federal Bureau of Prisons jointly investigated the case, sending a united front against prison violence. Special Agent in Charge Keri Farley of FBI Atlanta emphasized, “The FBI has zero tolerance for anyone who uses violence against law enforcement officers.” Randilee Giamusso, Spokesperson for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, added, “Todd’s sentencing sends a clear message that those who threaten or harm our correctional officers will be held accountable.”

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Richard Beaulieu and Alison Prout secured the conviction and sentencing. For those seeking further information, contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at USAGAN.PressEmails@usdoj.gov or (404) 581-6016. You can also find details on the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia at http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga. This case serves as a stark reminder: even behind bars, criminals will face justice for their violent acts.