Marcus Bias, a 27-year-old former officer with the District of Columbia Department of Corrections, has entered a guilty plea to a federal charge of deprivation of rights under color of law.
This announcement was made by officials including U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves, FBI Washington Field Office’s Assistant Director David Sundberg, and Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Civil Rights Division.
The case centers around an incident where Bias, in violation of the trust and authority bestowed upon him, assaulted a handcuffed inmate, J.W., by forcibly pushing his head into a metal doorframe. This attack, which occurred on June 12, 2019, resulted in severe injuries to J.W., necessitating emergency medical care.
Ex-Mississippi police officer (Credits: The Hill)
Bias’s actions, carried out without provocation even as J.W. was immobilized and compliant, starkly contravene the duty of corrections officers to safeguard those in their charge.
The gravity of Bias’s actions has drawn condemnation from federal officials, emphasizing that law enforcement officers must uphold the rights and well-being of all individuals, especially those under their direct supervision.
The collaborative efforts of the FBI and the Department of Corrections in investigating this matter underlines a commitment to accountability and the upholding of civil rights within the United States.
Mississippi Deputies Sentencing (Credits: WTOP)
As the legal process unfolds, Bias now faces the possibility of a ten-year prison sentence, three years of supervised release, and a fine reaching up to $250,000. The sentencing, scheduled for June 28, 2024, will be determined by a federal district court judge who will consider various statutory factors and the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.
This prosecution serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of misusing power within the justice system and affirms federal agencies’ dedication to rectifying such transgressions.
