Michael Williams and Rohail Khan, both former correctional officers at Mid-State Correctional Facility in New York, have been sentenced to federal prison for violating the civil rights of an inmate. Williams received a 21-month sentence, while Khan was sentenced to 24 months. The sentencing follows their guilty pleas in connection with an April 2023 incident where they, along with another officer, Brandon Montanari, assaulted an inmate without cause.
According to court documents, Williams, Khan, and Montanari punched and kicked the inmate in a hallway during the night. After the assault, they agreed to provide false information to internal investigators regarding the event. The assaulted inmate was subsequently compelled to disclose details about his conviction to other inmates and was hospitalized within 24 hours following an attack by another prisoner.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III commented on the case: “It is despicable, cowardly, and dangerous for a group of corrections officers to assault a defenseless inmate without cause and then lie about it. My office will continue to prosecute those who abuse their badges in this way.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli added: “Mr. Williams and Mr. Khan violated the oath they swore to uphold as officers of the law. As they head to federal prison for their actions, the FBI remains committed to working with our partners to investigate and hold accountable any officer who abuses their position to deliberately cause harm to others.”
Montanari previously received a 37-month prison sentence for his involvement in the incident.
The investigation was led by the FBI with assistance 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 prosecuted the case.
