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Security guard sentenced for abuse of inmate at Phoenix reentry center

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Monday, April 21, 2025

Security guard sentenced for abuse of inmate at Phoenix reentry center

Attorneys & Judges
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Rachel C. Hernandez Acting United States Attorney for the District of Arizona | U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona

Morris Gary Hibbitt, 51, of Avondale, was sentenced on April 14, 2025, to 13 months in prison for sexually abusing an inmate. The sentence was issued by United States District Judge G. Murray Snow. In addition to the prison term, Hibbitt will undergo 10 years of supervised release and is required to register as a sex offender.

The incident occurred on May 21, 2023, when Hibbitt was serving as the Security Supervisor at Behavioral Systems Southwest (BSS) in Phoenix. During this time, he assaulted a female inmate under his supervision. BSS is a residential reentry facility used by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to help inmates transition back to community life while finishing their sentences. Inmates like those at BSS are considered to be in official detention and remain under the BOP’s custodial authority.

The investigation was spearheaded by the Department of Justice's Office of the Inspector General, along with the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution of the case was conducted by Kristen Brook, an Assistant U.S. Attorney in the District of Arizona, based in Phoenix.

For further information regarding the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit their website. Updates can also be found on their Twitter handle @USAO_AZ.

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