CITIZEN STAFF REPORT

LEXINGTON — A former sergeant at the Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex in West Liberty was indicted by a federal jury in Lexington for three counts of obstruction based on his alleged efforts to cover up the assault of a restrained inmate by multiple officers he supervised.

The Justice Department announced the indictment of Eric L. Nantell, 47, Friday.

The indictment alleges that on July 24, 2018, Nantell, a sergeant at the time, stood by as several lower-ranking EKCC officers physically assaulted a nonviolent inmate. The inmate was reportedly lying face-down, handcuffed, leg-shackled, and isolated in a prison shower cell.

The indictment states Nantell lied to an EKCC supervisor, Kentucky State Police detective, and special agent of the FBI.

Each charge related to his alleged lies to state officials carries a potential sentence of up to 20 years. Additionally, the charge related to his purported lie to the FBI carries a potential sentence of up to five years.