BOP Correctional Officer Pleaded Guilty to Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law and Falsification of Records

On November 20, 2023, a BOP Correctional Officer assigned to the United States Penitentiary Atlanta (USP Atlanta), in Georgia, pleaded guilty to one count of Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law and one count of Falsification of Records.  Justin Newkirk pleaded guilty in the Northern District of Georgia.  According to the plea agreement, Newkirk pleaded guilty to the Information, which stated that on or about March 17, 2022, Newkirk subjected an inmate to cruel and unusual punishment when he repeatedly sprayed the inmate with pepper spray without a legitimate penological purpose and then falsified the incident report about the incident.  The investigation is being conducted by the OIG’s Atlanta Office.