CITIZEN STAFF REPORT

LONDON — A federal grand jury in London filed a superseding indictment against three federal correctional officers — two officers and a lieutenant — for their roles in assaults against three federal inmates and subsequent cover-ups.

United States Penitentiary-Big Sandy officers Samuel Patrick, 41, of West Van Lear, Clinton Pauley, 40, of Ironton, and Lieutenant Kevin Pearce, 37, of Inez, had previously been indicted in connection with the assaults of two federal inmates, C.T. and N.D, and subsequent cover-ups. The superseding indictment brings new charges for their assault of a third federal inmate, E.G., and attempts to cover it up. 

The indictment alleges the three officers physically assaulted an inmate identified as E.G., resulting in bodily injury, and attempted to cover it up by writing false reports on March 30, 2021.

The indictment charges Patrick and Pearce with witness tampering based on their efforts to pressure a fellow correctional officer to write an untruthful report.

Lastly, the indictment charges Pauley with making false statements to agents of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General and the FBI.

Two earlier indictments allege incidents on April 29, 2021 and March 26, 2021.

The maximum penalty for the assault crime is 10 years, and for witness tampering and false report, 20 years.

Editor’s note: An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.