Illinois prison guard gets 20 years for inmate beating death

A former state corrections officer was sentenced on Thursday to twenty years in federal jail for his function within the beating loss of life of a jail inmate in Might 2018.

Alex Banta, 31, of Quincy was “caught up within the tradition” of silence surrounding bodily assaulting inmates however there was no excuse for his therapy of 65-year-old Larry Earvin at Western Illinois Correctional Heart, mentioned U.S. District Choose Sue Myerscough.

In a press release to the court docket, Banta expressed remorse and took accountability for his actions, however corroborated trial testimony that tough therapy of prisoners was not solely condoned however anticipated on the jail in Mount Sterling, 250 miles (400 kilometers) southwest of Chicago.

Following a four-week trial, a jury convicted Banta in April 2022 of conspiracy to deprive civil rights, deprivation of civil rights, obstruction of an investigation, falsification of paperwork and deceptive conduct.

He confronted as much as life in jail. Myerscough sentenced him to fifteen years on the civil rights costs and 5 years on the opposite counts, to run consecutively.

“You had been one of many youthful officers caught up within the tradition at Western of ‘see no evil’ and ‘snitches get stitches,’ which you realized out of your superiors, nevertheless it on no account excuses your conduct,” Myerscough mentioned. “The governor has changed the warden and carried out different reforms, so hopefully this tradition has modified already.”

Earvin’s beating on Might 17, 2018, resulted in 15 damaged ribs and belly accidents so extreme {that a} portion of his bowel was surgically eliminated. He died June 26.

“What kind of individual does it take to assault a 65-year-old man who’s handcuffed behind his again?” remarked Earvin’s brother Willie Earvin Jr., 74, who testified for the prosecution. “I am a Vietnam veteran and we weren’t allowed to do this to prisoners.”

Different guards testified that Earvin, having reported too late for a break within the yard, refused to return to his cell and allegedly turned combative. That prompted an “officer in misery” name to which all out there officers are required to reply. Dozens did so after which a number of, together with Banta, escorted him to the segregation unit.

He was dealt with roughly within the housing unit. However witnesses and medical consultants testified that the debilitating and ultimately deadly accidents had been the results of kicking, punching, stomping and leaping on a inclined Earvin within the segregation unit’s vestibule, the place there aren’t any safety cameras. Assistant U.S. Legal professional Timothy Bass declared that the deadly blow to Earvin got here when Banta jumped up and landed on the inmate’s stomach with each knees.

Charged together with Banta had been correctional Lt. Todd Sheffler of Mendon and Sgt. Willie Hedden of Mount Sterling. Sheffler was a co-defendent with Banta however in his first trial, a jury couldn’t attain a verdict. He was retried final summer season and convicted of the identical counts as Banta in August. Hedden pleaded responsible in March 2021 to the extra severe costs and testified towards each Banta and Sheffler.

Sheffler is scheduled for sentencing on Monday and Hedden on Wednesday. ___ Comply with Political Author John O’Connor at https://twitter.com/apoconnor