Two federal prison employees convicted for their role in inmate’s death at federal facility
PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Two prison employees have been convicted in connection to the death of an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Petersburg. On the weekend before Christmas, a lieutenant — identified as 47-year-old Shronda Covington of Chesterfield — and a registered nurse — 52-year-old Tonya Farley of Chesterfield — were convicted of several charges related to the death of an inmate. Covington was convicted of violating the civil rights of an inmate by showing deliberate indifference to the inmate’s serious medical needs. Both defendants were found guilty of making false statements to a federal agent with the intent to obstruct the investigation into the inmate’s death. Covington and Farley were on duty and working at FCI Petersburg on Jan. 9, 2021. According to court documents, Covington willfully failed to ensure an inmate — a 47-year-old man only identified as W.W. — did not receive necessary medical care. W.W. died as a result of the incident. According to a release from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), W.W.'s cellmate reported to prison staff that W.W. was "exhibiting bizarre and unprecedented behavior, including that he was suddenly incontinent and unable to talk and walk normally." Over the course of the next two days, officials reportedly disregarded W.W.'s symptoms despite the fact he had received bruising and bleeding to his head and body after falling into walls and other objects multiple times. "W.W. finally fell head-first into a wall and then to the floor in an observation cell, where — despite inmate-observers’ continued calls for help — he lay for an hour and 40 minutes before officers rendered aid," the DOJ release reads. "An autopsy concluded that W.W. died of blunt force trauma to his head and that the lack of medical assistance he received during his series of falls and after his last fall contributed to his death." Another official, Lieutenant Michael Anderson, pleaded guilty for his role in W.W.'s death in 2023. During an investigation into W.W.’s death, Covington and Farley reportedly lied to federal agents about the incident. Farley also reportedly falsified records. Covington and Farley will be sentenced at a later date. Covington faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison while Farley faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
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PRINCE GEORGE COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — Two prison employees have been convicted in connection to the death of an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Petersburg.
On the weekend before Christmas, a lieutenant — identified as 47-year-old Shronda Covington of Chesterfield — and a registered nurse — 52-year-old Tonya Farley of Chesterfield — were convicted of several charges related to the death of an inmate.
Covington was convicted of violating the civil rights of an inmate by showing deliberate indifference to the inmate’s serious medical needs. Both defendants were found guilty of making false statements to a federal agent with the intent to obstruct the investigation into the inmate’s death.
Covington and Farley were on duty and working at FCI Petersburg on Jan. 9, 2021. According to court documents, Covington willfully failed to ensure an inmate — a 47-year-old man only identified as W.W. — did not receive necessary medical care. W.W. died as a result of the incident.
According to a release from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), W.W.'s cellmate reported to prison staff that W.W. was "exhibiting bizarre and unprecedented behavior, including that he was suddenly incontinent and unable to talk and walk normally."
Over the course of the next two days, officials reportedly disregarded W.W.'s symptoms despite the fact he had received bruising and bleeding to his head and body after falling into walls and other objects multiple times.
"W.W. finally fell head-first into a wall and then to the floor in an observation cell, where — despite inmate-observers’ continued calls for help — he lay for an hour and 40 minutes before officers rendered aid," the DOJ release reads. "An autopsy concluded that W.W. died of blunt force trauma to his head and that the lack of medical assistance he received during his series of falls and after his last fall contributed to his death."
Another official, Lieutenant Michael Anderson, pleaded guilty for his role in W.W.'s death in 2023.
During an investigation into W.W.’s death, Covington and Farley reportedly lied to federal agents about the incident. Farley also reportedly falsified records.
Covington and Farley will be sentenced at a later date. Covington faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison while Farley faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
