PIKEVILLE, Ky. — Sentencing for a former federal corrections officer who revealed an “unofficial policy” to abuse inmates at the Martin County federal prison has been delayed once again, with his new sentencing date set more than a year after he pleaded guilty to federal charges.

Terry Melvin, who worked as a lieutenant at U.S. Penitentiary Big Sandy, pleaded guilty in January to conspiracy against rights and deprivation of civil rights related to the assault of inmates from early 2021 to March 2022. However, his plea agreement went on to reveal a conspiracy by at least 17 other prison employees to assault prisoners in order to reduce the number of inmates being kept in a special housing unit.

Prisoners who filed complaints that they faced threats from other inmates were kept in the unit. The plea agreement says inmates were given a chance to withdraw their complaints, and those who did would be returned to their regular housing unit. Those who didn’t would be assaulted by prison employees, then false reports would be filed claiming the abuse was a response to the prisoner attacking a guard.

The plea agreement goes on to say prison staff who went along with the scheme were given promotions and monetary rewards worth thousands of dollars as a reward.

Melvin was originally supposed to be sentenced back in May, but that hearing was delayed until next month. Now, however, the sentencing has been moved to April 2, after prosecutors asked to reschedule it again.

Their motion had asked to postpone sentencing for at least 120 days, but no reason was given for why the delay was needed.

Melvin will face up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced.