The Justice Department announced on Wednesday that two employees of the federal Bureau of Prisons have been indicted by a grand jury for their alleged failure to provide adequate medical care to an inmate in Virginia, ultimately leading to the prisoner's untimely demise. The indictment highlights the seriousness of the charges, as Lt. Shronda Covington, aged 47, and registered nurse Tonya Farley, aged 52, are accused of violating the civil rights of the male inmate in question by displaying a callous disregard for his urgent medical needs. This incident transpired at the Federal Correctional Institution located in Petersburg, Virginia, back in January 2021, as revealed in a news release from the Department of Justice.
Alleged Misconduct and Falsification of Reports Uncovered
In addition to the civil rights violation charges, nurse Tonya Farley also faces an additional charge of fabricating a false report regarding the incident. Both Covington and Farley, residents of Chesterfield, Virginia, are further accused of making false statements to federal agents. These grave accusations shed light on the potential misconduct that transpired within the prison facility and the serious implications it holds for the accused individuals.
Identity of Deceased Inmate Revealed
According to the Associated Press, the inmate who tragically lost his life has been identified as Wade Walters. On January 10, 2021, Mr. Walters passed away while under the custody of the Federal Correctional Institution at Petersburg, with the cause of death listed as "cardiac." However, the documents obtained did not provide specific details regarding the underlying cause that led to this unfortunate outcome.
Legal Consequences and Pending Legal Representation
Each civil rights violation charge carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, while the charge of filing a false report could result in a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Additionally, the false statement charges carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison each. As of now, it remains uncertain whether Lt. Shronda Covington and nurse Tonya Farley have retained legal representation to address the allegations brought against them. Consequently, it is unclear whether they will make any statements or provide any comments regarding the indictment.