RIVERSIDE, California – A correctional officer with the U.S. Bureau of Prisons at the Victorville Federal Correctional Complex pleaded guilty today to two counts relating to an incident in which she kicked a restrained female inmate in the head.
Cynthia Flores, 34, of Victorville, pleaded guilty to one count of deprivation of rights under color of law and one count of falsification of records.
Flores assaulted the victim at the women's prison camp in Victorville on June 2, 2013. During the evening count, when correctional officers ensure that all inmates are present, Flores initiated a physical altercation with the victim. According to a plea agreement filed in this case, Flores “kicked [the victim]'s head after another BOP correctional officer had handcuffed [the victim] and was restraining [her] with [the victim]'s chest pressed to the hallway floor.”
Following the incident, Flores submitted a written incident report and a videotaped oral report in which she described an altercation with the inmate. Flores falsely stated that the inmate unilaterally had assaulted her and failed to disclose using force against the victim “with the intent to impede, obstruct, and influence the BOP's investigation into the incident,” according to the plea agreement.
Flores pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Jesus G. Bernal, who scheduled a sentencing hearing for July 21, 2017. At sentencing, Flores will face a statutory maximum sentence of 30 years in custody for both offenses, but pursuant to the plea agreement the government will recommend a sentence of no more than 18 months in this case. Judge Bernal will make the final determination as to the appropriate sentence in this case.
This case was investigated by the Justice Department Office of the Inspector General.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Sean D. Peterson and Julius J. Nam of the Riverside Branch Office.
USAO – California, CentralUpdated April 24, 2017
Central District of California DOJ / 17-086 / April 21, 2017
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