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Three prison guards have pleaded guilty to assaulting an inmate at Mid-State Correctional Facility in Marcy. The incident occurred in April 2023, when James Barton was attacked without provocation. The guards involved were Brandon Montanari, Rohail Khan, and Michael Williams, a trainee at the time. According to Syracuse.com, the guards led Barton out of his cell and into a hallway, where they punched and kicked him. Williams then swept Barton’s legs and pinned him down. Barton, who is Black, was placed in a chokehold, and the officers made a reference to the "George Floyd challenge," echoing the tragic 2020 incident involving George Floyd.
The officers did not report the use of force and agreed to lie if questioned. All three have pleaded guilty to deprivation of rights under the color of law, a federal offense. They face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine when sentenced this summer. According to Democrat & Chronicle, Barton has filed a lawsuit seeking $10 million in damages. The Department of Corrections and Community Supervision confirmed that disciplinary actions have been taken, with some staff terminated.