TALLAHASSEE – A federal grand jury returned an indictment, unsealed today, charging that correctional officers William J. Ray, 40, of Carrabelle, Florida, and Corry B. Fletcher, 43, of Bristol, Florida, conspired to violate the civil rights of a state inmate and deprived the inmate of constitutional rights at the Franklin Correctional Institution, a state prison in the Northern District of Florida. Fletcher was additionally charged with obstruction of justice. The indictment was announced by Pamela C. Marsh, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
The indictment alleges that, in July 2014, Ray and Fletcher, while acting as state correctional officers, conspired to intimidate a state prison inmate in the free exercise and enjoyment of the constitutional right not to be subjected to cruel and unusual punishment by correctional officers. The indictment further charges that Ray and Fletcher physically assaulted an inmate at the Franklin Correctional Institution without justification and caused the inmate bodily injury. The indictment finally charges that, in April 2015, Fletcher obstructed justice by intentionally misleading FBI and FDLE agents through false statements.
The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, with the assistance of the Florida Department of Corrections – Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stephen M. Kunz.