A former supervisory deputy jailer at the Kentucky River Regional Jail has been sentenced to 120 months in federal prison for a brutal assault on a pre-trial detainee that led to the man’s death. William Curtis Howell, 61, of Perry County, Kentucky, was convicted in May 2017 of using excessive force and deliberately denying medical care to Larry Trent, 54, who died from injuries sustained during the beating on July 9, 2013.
U.S. District Judge Karen K. Caldwell handed down the sentence, which under federal law requires Howell to serve at least 85 percent of the term. Upon release, he will be under federal supervision for three years. The Justice Department, Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney Robert M. Duncan Jr. for the Eastern District of Kentucky, and FBI Special Agent in Charge Amy Hess confirmed the sentencing.
The assault began when Howell and fellow jailer Damon Wayne Hickman, 48 at the time, opened Trent’s cell to remove a sleeping mat. Trent fled the cell, prompting Howell to deploy a taser. After Trent was subdued, Hickman kicked him in the ribs without justification. As deputies carried Trent back, he grabbed the taser. Once it was recovered and Trent was restrained on the floor, both jailers punched, kicked, and stomped him repeatedly. Howell delivered a final kick to Trent’s head while he lay defenseless inside the cell.
Witnesses testified that blood from Trent was found in the detox hallway, booking area, and on the uniforms of the deputies involved. Despite his visible injuries and open head wound, Trent was left unattended in his cell for nearly four hours. A jail employee discovered him motionless. Paramedics were called, but Trent was pronounced dead at a local hospital.
Hickman pleaded guilty on November 9, 2016, to charges of excessive force, deliberate indifference to medical needs, and obstruction of justice for fabricating a medical log to cover up the assault. He was sentenced on November 1, 2017, to 126 months in prison and testified against Howell during trial.
“Corrections officers throughout the country carry out their duties in a responsible manner on a daily basis,” said Acting Assistant Attorney General John Gore. “Attacks like this one dishonor those responsible corrections officers and is a violation of civil rights, and the Department of Justice will prosecute such misconduct.” U.S. Attorney Duncan added, “There is no place in law enforcement or corrections for this shocking and illegal conduct.”}
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Key Facts
- State: Kentucky
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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