PIKEVILLE, Ky. — The first of three federal prison employees accused of abusing their positions has been arraigned.
Case management coordinator Samuel Patrick, 41, of West Van Lear, is charged with deprivation of rights under color of law, witness tampering, and falsification of records. The charges stem from allegations that he and another guard assaulted an inmate at U.S. Penitentiary Big Sandy, then tried to cover it up.
Patrick appeared in U.S. District Court in Pikeville with his attorney Monday morning and pleaded not guilty. His trial has been set for Aug. 15.
Captain’s secretary Clinton Paul, 40, of Ironton, Ohio, and Lt. Kevin Pearce Jr., 37, of Inez, have also been charged in the case. Their arraignments will be held at a later date.
