U.S. Attorney Phillip Talbert | U.S. Department of Justice
A federal grand jury has indicted Raquel Mosqueda, 36, of Porterville, California, and Jimmie L. Carter, 44, on charges of conspiring to violate the constitutional rights of an inmate at California State Prison-Corcoran. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Phillip A. Talbert.
Mosqueda served as a Correctional Officer with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, while Carter was an inmate. According to court documents, on or around April 20, 2022, Mosqueda allegedly agreed with Carter to allow him to "get rid of" another inmate. Mosqueda reportedly facilitated an assault by permitting Carter and other inmates to enter the victim's cell and attack him, resulting in bodily injury.
Additionally, Mosqueda is charged with depriving the victim of his constitutional right to be free from cruel and unusual punishment. This includes the right to be reasonably protected from violence by fellow inmates.
The case stems from an investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation’s Office of Internal Affairs. Assistant United States Attorney Karen A. Escobar and Trial Attorney Laura-Kate Bernstein from the Civil Rights Division of the U.S. Department of Justice are handling prosecution.
If convicted on conspiracy charges, both Mosqueda and Carter could face up to 10 years in prison along with a $250,000 fine. Mosqueda faces an additional potential sentence of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for deprivation of constitutional rights. Sentencing will be determined by the court based on statutory factors and Federal Sentencing Guidelines after conviction. It is important to note that these charges are allegations; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
