This week, a Tennessee man was found guilty of obstructing an investigation into allegations that he sexually abused an inmate in his custody, officials stated.
James Stewart Justice, 32, of Columbia, a corrections officer with the Maury County Jail, was convicted of one count of falsification of records, officials stated.
According to evidence introduced at trial, the defendant, formerly James Stewart Thomas, wrote an official report for the jail in response to allegations that he had violated the Prison Rape Elimination Act.
In his report, the defendant did the following acts:
1) Falsely claimed that he had reported to two Maury County Jail supervisors that an inmate had made sexual advances toward him while the inmate was in his custody at a hospital.
2) Falsely claimed that those two Maury County Jail supervisors both advised him not to write a report about those alleged sexual advances by the inmate.
3) Omitted that he had a sexual relationship with the inmate after the inmate’s release from the custody of the Maury County Jail.
“The defendant pledged to protect and serve but instead, he abused his authority as a corrections officer to try to cover up sexual misconduct at the county jail,” said Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. “This verdict sends a clear message that the Justice Department will hold accountable any official who obstructs a federal civil rights investigation.”
“When a correctional officer abuses his authority, it undermines the respect and reputation of all law enforcement officers,” said Special Agent in Charge Douglas DePodesta of the FBI Memphis Field Office.
Justice faces up to 20 years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 18.
The FBI investigated the case.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda Klopf for the Middle District of Tennessee and Trial Attorney Kyle Boynton of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section are prosecuting the case.