U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe | U.S. Department of Justice
On November 26, a federal jury in Miami found Orel Valdespino Fernandez, 41, guilty of assaulting a corrections officer from the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and causing bodily harm. The incident occurred on May 5 at the Federal Detention Center in Miami, where Valdespino was held pre-trial for another crime to which he later pled guilty.
During routine rounds, a BOP lieutenant noticed Valdespino not adhering to a rule and instructed him to comply. When Valdespino refused, the officer entered his cell to provide verbal guidance. While explaining through an interpreter, Valdespino struck the officer's arm and face multiple times. The altercation ended when officers intervened with pepper spray and assistance.
The victim sustained significant injuries including a misaligned jaw and a torn pectoral muscle requiring surgery. He has been unable to work since the attack.
U.S. District Judge Roy K. Altman will sentence Valdespino on February 14, 2025, taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other factors.
The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida and FBI Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey B. Veltri from the Miami Field Office.
The case was investigated by the FBI Miami Field Office with support from BOP. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary A. Keller and Ilana Malkin prosecuted it.
Further information can be accessed on the United States Attorney’s Office website or through related court documents available online under case number 24-cr-20318.
