Michael Williams and Rohail Khan, former correction officers at Mid-State Correctional Facility in New York, have been sentenced to federal prison for their involvement in the assault of an inmate. Williams received a 21-month sentence, while Khan was sentenced to 24 months. The sentences were announced by Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli.
Both Williams and Khan had previously pleaded guilty to charges of depriving the inmate of his rights under color of law. During their plea, they admitted to participating with fellow officer Brandon Montanari in assaulting the inmate without justification in April 2023. The three officers punched and kicked the inmate in a hallway during the night and later conspired to mislead internal investigators about the incident.
Following the attack, the victim was compelled to disclose details about his criminal conviction to other inmates. Within a day, he was hospitalized after being assaulted by another prisoner.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III said: “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 stated: “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 had already been sentenced earlier to 37 months in prison for his role in the incident.
The case was investigated 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 handled prosecution duties.
