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Press Release

Lewis County man pleads guilty to using excessive force

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Northern District of West Virginia

ELKINS, WEST VIRGINIA – Hunter Lane Barrett, 21, of Weston, West Virginia pled guilty to using excessive force, United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II, announced.

Barrett, a former correctional officer, pled guilty to two counts of “Deprivation of Rights Under Color of Law.” He admitted to using excessive force against an incarcerated individual while he was employed as a correctional officer at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail.

He faces up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $100,000 for each count. Under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, the actual sentence imposed will be based upon the seriousness of the offenses and the prior criminal history, if any, of the defendant.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Sarah W. Montoro and Department of Justice Trial Attorney Olimpia Michel prosecuted the case on behalf of the government. The Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael John Aloi presided.

Updated November 16, 2016