Two Corrections Officers Charged with Violating a Prisoner's Civil Rights

On May 2, 2023, two BOP Correctional Officers assigned to the United States Penitentiary Hazleton (USP Hazelton) in West Virginia, were both indicted on one count each of deprivation of rights under color of law and assault resulting in serious bodily injury.  Robert David Sims and Joshua David Sines were charged in the Northern District of West Virginia.  According to the Indictment, on or about March 21, 2019, Sims and Sines, while acting under color of law, willfully deprived a victim inmate of the right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment by a correctional officer when they struck the victim in the face, head, arms, and torso, resulting in bodily injury to the inmate. The investigation is being conducted by the OIG’s Washington Field Office.