A former Supervisory Correctional Officer at the Federal Correctional Complex (FCC) in Beaumont, Texas, was sentenced today in federal court for aiding and abetting the assault of an inmate.
Khristal Ford, 33, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Marcia A. Crone to 24 months in federal prison followed by one year of supervised release. Ford previously pleaded guilty on May 29, 2019, to one count of aiding and abetting another correctional officer in the assault of an inmate housed at the facility.
According to plea documents and information presented in court, on June 8, 2017, while on duty at the FCC, Ford opened the door of a secured medical observation cell after A.A., an inmate, threw a tray at the locked door. Ford then told another correctional officer to “take care of it” and watched as the officer entered the cell and punched A.A. in the head three times without justification. Following this assault, Ford submitted written reports that omitted any reference to the assault in an effort to cover up the incident and make it appear justified.
“The Department of Justice will not tolerate this abuse of authority,” said Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband of the Civil Rights Division. “The Civil Rights Division will continue to prosecute those who will assault inmates under their supervision.”
“The work of prison guards is obviously very difficult, but they cannot resort to unprovoked violence,” said United States Attorney Joseph Brown for the Eastern District of Texas. “They are expected to remain professional, and if they assault inmates, they will be arrested and prosecuted.”
“The public has a right to expect that Correctional Officers will keep federal prisons safe and secure and will perform the duties of their jobs with integrity. Ford did the exact opposite when she aided in the assault and civil rights violations of an inmate. She will rightly serve time for this offense,” said Robert A. Bourbon, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General Dallas Field Office.
This case was investigated by the Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General, and was prosecuted by Trial Attorney Katherine G. DeVar of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Anderson of the Eastern District of Texas.
The year 2020 marks the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. Learn more about the history of our agency at www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.