Inmates Plead Guilty To Charges In Assault That Left Fellow Inmate Hospitalized

ALEXANDRIA, La. –United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced that Ernest Prado, 48, Pollock prisoner, and Gumaro Lopez, 33, Pollock prisoner, pleaded guilty Tuesday before U.S. District Judge Dee D. Drell to assaulting a fellow inmate. 

According to evidence presented at the guilty plea, officials for the U.S. Penitentiary in Pollock on Nov. 29, 2010 observed defendants Prado and Lopez in the recreation yard assaulting an inmate using “homemade” ice pick type weapons.  When the corrections officers approached to intervene, Prado and Lopez ceased the assault and threw the picks on the ground.  The injured inmate was transported to a local hospital and was found to have sustained approximately 15 puncture wounds to his upper torso.  The assault was captured on video.

Prado and Gumaro face up to 10 years in prison and three years of supervised release for assault with a dangerous weapon. Prado is serving time for possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and Lopez is serving time for possession with intent to distribute heroin.  A sentencing date of Oct. 28, 2013 was set.  

The FBI-Alexandria, La., Resident Agency, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Earl M. Campbell is prosecuting the case.