LEXINGTON, Ky. — As expected, one of three former prison guards accused of assaulting inmates and covering it up has pleaded guilty in federal court.
And now, another defendant is expected to do the same on Friday.
Samuel Patrick, 41, of West Van Lear, appeared in U.S. District Court in Lexington Wednesday to plead guilty to two counts of deprivation of rights under color of law.
Patrick was one of three guards employed at the U.S. Penitentiary Big Sandy in Martin County who was charged in the case.
In his plea agreement, Patrick admitted knocking down one inmate and then repeatedly elbowing him in the face. He also admitted pepper-spraying another inmate who was walking to his cell. The plea agreement also details efforts to conceal those assaults and another Patrick wasn’t involved in.
He now faces up to 10 years in prison for each count.
On Thursday, another former guard — Clinton Pauley, 40, of Ironton, Ohio — asked to change his plea, saying he has reached an agreement with prosecutors. If accepted, that would leave only Kevin Pearce Jr., 37, of Inez, going to trial on March 6.
Patrick remains free on bond while he awaits sentencing.
