Brandon Montanari, a former corrections officer from East Concord, New York, has been sentenced to 37 months in prison and two years of supervised release for violating the civil rights of an inmate at Mid-State Correctional Facility. The sentencing was announced by Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Montanari previously admitted that he, along with fellow correction officers Rohail Kahn and Michael Williams, assaulted an inmate without cause in April 2023. The incident took place in a hallway during the night shift. All three officers later agreed to mislead internal investigators about the assault. Both Kahn and Williams have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III said: “I recognize how difficult it is to work as a corrections officer in New York State, but nobody is above the law. It is unacceptable for a corrections officer to assault an inmate. With our law enforcement partners, we will continue to investigate these types of incidents and, where appropriate, bring federal criminal charges.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli added: “Mr. Montanari admitted to assaulting an inmate and lying to cover it up. Now he is headed to federal prison. Today’s sentence proves the FBI will not look the other way when an officer violates the laws they are sworn to uphold.”
Sentencing for Williams is set for September 26, 2025, while Khan will be sentenced on September 29, 2025. Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes will preside over both hearings.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI with support from the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Office of Special Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael F. Perry and Michael D. Gadarian are prosecuting the case.
