PIKEVILLE, Ky. — A former guard at the Martin County federal prison has been sentenced for charges relating to the assault of an inmate and its coverup.

Ryan Elliott was a lieutenant at U.S. Penitentiary Big Sandy when the incidents occurred. In November, he pleaded guilty to one count of deprivation of rights under color of law for the assault and falsification of records for the coverup.

In his plea agreement, he admitted to punching and kicking an inmate who was being kept in a holding cell for a nonviolent offense back in March of 2021. He then wrote an incident report that omitted any mention of the assault.

He also admitted to helping another officer falsify a report to cover up another assault the following month.

On Thursday, a federal judge sentenced him to be imprisoned for 12 months and one day.