A Federal Bureau of Prisons lieutenant has been convicted for violating the civil rights of an inmate by not securing necessary medical care, leading to the inmate's death. The conviction, handed down on December 21, also found both the lieutenant and a nurse guilty of making false statements to federal agents in an attempt to obstruct the investigation.
Court documents reveal that Lieutenant Shronda Covington, 49, and Registered Nurse Tonya Farley, 53, were on duty at the Federal Correctional Institution in Petersburg on January 9, 2021. They failed to provide medical attention to a 47-year-old inmate identified as W.W., who exhibited severe symptoms requiring urgent care. Additionally, they misled investigators about their involvement.
Previously, another prison official involved in the case, Lieutenant Michael Anderson, pleaded guilty and received a three-year sentence.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke commented on the case: “These defendants showed an appalling indifference and disregard for W.W.’s life.” U.S. Attorney Jessica D. Aber stated that inmates are vulnerable individuals whose care is entrusted to corrections staff expected to uphold professional standards.
Special Agent Tim Edmiston highlighted Covington’s negligence: “Covington’s inexcusable apathy to the medical needs of W.W. over the course of two days caused his unnecessary death.”
The evidence presented at trial demonstrated that despite being aware of W.W.'s neurological crisis symptoms over two days—such as incontinence and inability to walk—prison officials did not intervene medically. This neglect resulted in W.W.'s repeated falls causing severe head injuries. He eventually succumbed after falling head-first into a wall without receiving timely aid.
An autopsy confirmed blunt force trauma as the cause of death and noted that lack of medical assistance contributed significantly.
Sentencing for Covington is set for May 7, 2025; she faces up to 15 years imprisonment. Farley will be sentenced on May 8, facing up to five years behind bars.
The Justice Department’s Office of the Inspector General led the investigation with Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas A. Garnett and attorneys from the Civil Rights Division prosecuting.