By Carol Robinson
al.com
BESSEMER, Ala. — A former Alabama Department of Correction lieutenant has been sentenced to federal prison for using excessive force on an inmate and then lying to cover it up.
Mohammad Shahid Jenkins, 52, was sentenced Tuesday 87 months – just over seven years – followed by three years of supervised release. He pleaded guilty in September to use of excessive force and obstruction.
Jenkins was a former 20-year law enforcement veteran who was a lieutenant and shift commander at William Donaldson Correctional Facility in western Jefferson County.
Jenkins admitted to using excessive force on an inmate identified only as V.R. On Feb. 16, 2022, Jenkins willfully deprived inmate V.R. of his right to be free from excessive force by kicking him, hitting him, spraying him with chemical spray, striking him with a can of chemical spray and striking him with a shoe while V.R. was restrained inside of a holding cell and not posing a threat.
Over the course of about five minutes, and outside the presence of other officers and inmates, Jenkins repeatedly re-entered the holding cell that V.R. was in and re-assaulted him numerous times.
Jenkins used a dangerous weapon — chemical spray and the can of chemical spray — on V.R., and his attacks on V.R. caused injury, authorities said.
After the assault, Jenkins authored a false incident report and later Jenkins lied to investigators by denying using any force on V.R.
As part of the plea agreement, Jenkins also admitted that he used unlawful force on another inmate on a separate occasion at Donaldson.
On Nov. 29, 2021, Jenkins used chemical spray on another inmate, identified only as D.H., while the inmate was handcuffed behind his back and compliant. He hit D.H. in the head with the can of chemical spray and slapped him in the head while he was suffering from the effects of chemical spray.
Jenkins faced up to 30 years in prison - 20 years on the obstruction charge and 10 years on the excessive force charge.
“This defendant was a lieutenant with more than 20 years of experience and a supervisor who was supposed to set an example of what proper law enforcement looks like for the less experienced officers he oversaw,” said U.S. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.
“Instead, the defendant abused his position of power to repeatedly and viciously assault a restrained inmate, returning to the inmate’s cell several times to renew the assault,’’ Clarke said.
“Corrections officers have the responsibility to ensure the safety and security of those incarcerated in our nation’s prisons,” said Northern District of Alabama U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona. “The physical abuse of prisoners in violation of the Constitution threatens the safety of the entire institution, officers and inmates alike.”
“This sentence sends a strong message that the FBI remains committed to protecting the civil rights of all people, including those in prison custody,” said FBI Special Agent in Charge Carlton L. Peeples of the FBI Birmingham Field Office. “This individual’s conduct is not reflective of the honor and professionalism with which the men and women of law enforcement exemplify. “
The FBI Birmingham Field Office investigated the case with the assistance of ADOC’s Law Enforcement Services Division.
Assistant U.S. Attorney George Martin for the Northern District of Alabama and Trial Attorney Anna Gotfryd of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section prosecuted the case.
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