A former supervisory correctional officer at Valdosta State Prison (VSP) recently pleaded guilty for attempting to cover up an assault on an inmate by correctional officers.
Geary Staten, 31, faces a maximum sentence of three years in prison and a $250,000 fine for his actions, according to a press release from the Department of Justice. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for Sept. 21.
“It is important that corrections officers and their supervisors are held accountable for using unlawful, unnecessary, and unwarranted force against inmates, including those who fail to report such civil rights violations and take steps to cover them up,” Assistant Attorney General, Kristen Clarke, said in the release. “The Civil Rights Division will continue to hold correctional officials accountable when they violate the civil rights of incarcerated individuals.”
Court documents show that Staten was a lieutenant on duty at Valdosta State Prison when several correctional officers unlawfully used force on an inmate in violation of his constitutional rights, the release stated. When Staten became aware of the incident, he ignored his duty to report it to proper authorities and directed the officers involved not to report the incident.
“Many corrections officers do honorable work, but officers and their supervisors who turn a blind eye or even cover-up crimes against the people under their watch are committing a serious offense that our office will simply not ignore,” U.S. Attorney, Peter D. Leary, said in the release. “Prisoners should serve their sentences without being assaulted or extorted; our office will work to uphold the civil rights of all people, including the incarcerated.”
“By violating his sworn oath as a corrections officer, Staten betrayed every honest, hardworking officer, and stooped to behaving like the criminals he was sworn to protect,” Keri Farley, special agent in charge of FBI Atlanta, said in the release. “The abuse of inmates by prison staff will not be tolerated by the FBI and will always be pursued for prosecution.”
The officers involved in the assault have pleaded guilty to federal offenses in connection with the incident, according to the release.
