A lieutenant from the Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) was recently convicted of violating an inmate’s civil rights by displaying intentional disregard for the inmate’s critical medical needs. Additionally, both the lieutenant and an FBOP nurse were found guilty of providing false statements to a federal agent with the purpose of obstructing the investigation into the inmate’s death.
Lieutenant Shronda Covington, 49, from Chesterfield, Virginia, and Registered Nurse Tonya Farley, 53, also from Chesterfield, were both on duty at the Federal Correctional Institution in Petersburg, Virginia, on January 9, 2021. In their official capacities, Covington and Farley were responsible for ensuring the provision of necessary medical care to the inmates. However, court documents and trial evidence reveal that Covington willfully neglected to provide the required medical care to an inmate named W.W., a 47-year-old man with a serious medical condition. Additionally, both Covington and Farley were found to have made false statements to federal agents during the subsequent investigation into the inmate’s death.
Lieutenant Michael Anderson, another FBOP official, had previously admitted his guilt in the inmate’s death and received a three-year sentence in custody.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division expressed strong condemnation for the defendants, emphasizing their shocking lack of concern for the victim’s life. Clarke stressed that their inaction ultimately led to the tragic loss of life. Clarke further assured that the Justice Department remains committed to holding responsible those who work within prisons and jails, including federal facilities, when they neglect their obligation to offer essential care and treat individuals in their custody with basic humanity.
According to U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber for the Eastern District of Virginia, federal inmates are individuals who find themselves in an exceptionally vulnerable setting. It is the duty of corrections staff to ensure their well-being and maintain the utmost level of professionalism. In this particular case, the defendants neglected their responsibility and as a result, the inmate tragically lost their life.
Special Agent in Charge Tim Edmiston of the Justice Department’s Office of the Inspector General Mid-Atlantic Region expressed his outrage over Covington’s lack of concern for W.W.’s medical needs, which ultimately led to his untimely death. Edmiston emphasized that Covington and Farley deliberately chose to deceive others in order to evade responsibility for their actions. The Justice Department’s Office of the Inspector General remains committed to uncovering civil rights violations committed by employees of the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
During the trial, it was established that in the early morning hours of January 9, 2021, W.W.’s cellmate informed the facility staff about W.W.’s unusual and unprecedented behavior. This behavior included sudden incontinence and difficulties in speaking and walking normally. Despite being aware of W.W.’s symptoms of a sudden neurological crisis, such as incontinence, confusion, speech impairment, and unsteadiness on his feet, FBOP officials chose to disregard them for a period of two days.
Without receiving medical attention to address his sudden and serious medical need, W.W. experienced multiple incidents where he collided with walls and other objects, resulting in significant bruising and bleeding to his head and body. Despite the fact that FBOP policy mandates staff to provide inmates with necessary medical care, Covington and Anderson disregarded both the policy and their training, failing to respond to repeated calls for assistance from inmates and line staff.
Covington and Farley will receive their sentences at a later date. Covington could potentially face up to 15 years in prison, while Farley may face a maximum of five years behind bars. The decision on their sentences will be made by a federal district court judge, who will take into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines as well as other relevant factors stated by the law.
The case was investigated by the Justice Department’s Office of the Inspector General.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas A. Garnett for the Eastern District of Virginia, along with Special Litigation Counsel Kathryn E. Gilbert and Trial Attorney Katherine McCallister from the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section. They received previous assistance from then-Trial Attorney Matthew Tannenbaum of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.