A Pinckneyville Correctional Center acting lieutenant appeared in federal court this week to admit he failed to intervene while his subordinates beat a restrained inmate.
The U.S. attorney for Southern Illinois reports 52-year-old Mark Maxwell of Pinckneyville faces up to 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to one count of deprivation of civil rights under color of law.
He was charged for standing by in April 2022 while two other correctional officers punched and kicked an inmate who was handcuffed and shackled in leg irons. The victim suffered a fractured orbital socket, a partially collapsed lung, and needed 25 stitches to close lacerations to his face.
Under federal law, officers have a duty to intervene if a fellow officer uses excessive force.
Maxwell’s sentencing is scheduled for February 21.
As previously reported, 35-year-old Cord Williams of Vergennes and 25-year-old Christian Pyles of Christopher were also charged in the same indictment as Maxwell and have each pleaded guilty to violation of civil rights under color of law, conspiracy to obstruct justice, and obstruction of justice.
