United States Attorney Richard B. Roper
Northern District of Texas

PRIEST PLEADS GUILTY IN FEDERAL COURT TO SEXUALLY ABUSING
INMATES AT FMC CARSWELL IN FORT WORTH

FORT WORTH, Texas — Vincent Inametti, a Roman Catholic priest, who worked as a chaplain at Federal Medical Center (FMC) Carswell in Fort Worth, pled guilty in federal court this morning to an Information charging two counts of sexual abuse of a ward, announced U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper, of the Northern District of Texas. Inametti, 48, who remains on bond, faces a maximum statutory sentence of 10 years in prison and a $500,000 fine. He is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Terry R. Means on March 17, 2008 at 9:30 a.m.

According to documents filed in the case, Inametti worked as a Catholic chaplain at FMC Carswell from August 13, 2000 to September 26, 2007. He is a naturalized U.S. citizen who was ordained in his native country, Nigeria.

The Department of Justice, Office of Inspector General, (DOJ-OIG) received a complaint last March that Inametti was sexually involved with a particular inmate, “D.D.” Subsequent investigation by DOJ-OIG agents revealed that Inametti was also sexually involved with another inmate, “E.R.” Both inmates were serving federal prison sentences for drug distribution conspiracy convictions.

“D.D.” became acquainted with Inametti in August 2004 when she began attending Catholic services, joining the choir and participating in Bible study classes at FMC Carswell. “E.R.” became acquainted with Inametti a few months later, in November 2004, as a result of her assignment as a clerk for the Religious Services Department at FMC Carswell.

In documents filed in Court today, Inametti admitted that in February 2006, he directed “D.D.” to the chapel library, where he engaged in a sexual act with her. He further admitted that in June or July 2006, he summoned “E.R.” to a classroom in the chapel where he engaged in a sexual act with her.

U.S. Attorney Roper praised the investigative efforts of DOJ-OIG. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney John Bradford.

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