BEAUMONT — A former senior correctional officer at the Federal Correctional Complex in Beaumont pleaded guilty to assaulting a federal inmate in 2017.

Tavoris Bottley, 34, made the plea on Thursday, announced Eastern District of Texas U.S. Attorney Joseph D. Brown.

Documents filed in connection with the guilty plea indicated on June 8, 2017, Bottley, while on duty as a federal correctional officer at FCC Beaumont, punched A.A, an inmate, in the face and head multiple times without justification.

Bottley admitted he and his supervisor, Lt. Khristal Ford, intentionally unlocked and entered the secured cell where A.A. was being held with the intention of assaulting the inmate for being disrespectful and throwing a food tray. Bottley admitted he then punched A.A., even though the inmate did not pose any threat at the time.

Ford previously pleaded guilty May 29, 2019, to aiding and abetting in the assault of A.A., and admitted to submitting written reports that omitted any reference to the assault in an effort to cover up the altercation and make it appear justified.

“Correctional officers have an obligation to be professional,” Brown said.  “Unprovoked violence not only violates the rights of the inmate, but hurts the reputations of law enforcement professionals who do things the right way.”

Bottley faces a maximum statutory penalty of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.

This case was investigated by the Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General, and was prosecuted by Trial Attorney Katherine G. DeVar of the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Anderson of the Eastern District of Texas.