William Stanley, Assault on a Federal Officer, Oklahoma 2020

Bloodied streets are nothing new in Oklahoma City, but when the violence happens behind bars, it takes a toll on our law enforcement officers. On August 20, 2019, inmate William Stanley, 59, of Massachusetts, kicked a correctional officer in the leg while being escorted to the Special Housing Unit at the Federal Transfer Center in Oklahoma City.

The assault left the officer with a severely injured right hip, which required a total right hip replacement. This is a stark reminder of the dangers that correctional officers face on a daily basis. They put their lives on the line to keep our communities safe, and it’s time we recognize their sacrifices.

According to court documents, a federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment charging Stanley with assault on a federal officer causing bodily injury. On January 13, 2020, Stanley pled guilty to the charges. On November 30, 2020, U.S. District Judge Patrick R. Wyrick sentenced Stanley to serve 78 months in federal prison, to run consecutively to his ongoing prison term, followed by three years of supervised release.

In imposing the sentence, Judge Wyrick noted Stanley’s history of violence within the federal prison system and his previous assault convictions in Massachusetts. This case is a result of investigations by the FBI and the Federal Bureau of Prisons, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Altshuler prosecuting the case.

This sentence should serve as a warning to those who think they can take advantage of our correctional officers. We will not tolerate this kind of behavior, and we will do everything in our power to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

U.S. Attorney Timothy J. Downing said in a statement, ‘This case is a result of investigations by the FBI and the Federal Bureau of Prisons.’ The case is a reminder that our law enforcement officers are not just protecting our communities, but also putting their lives on the line to keep our correctional facilities safe.

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