Former ECI Lieutenant Sentenced to Prison in Cover-Up Case
Somerset County, MD - A former correctional officer from the Eastern Shore is headed to federal prison after being convicted of helping cover up an inmate assault at a local prison.
Jermaine Sturgis, 41, of Laurel, Delaware, was sentenced Thursday in U.S. District Court in Baltimore to 33 months in prison, followed by one year of supervised release.
Sturgis worked as a lieutenant at Eastern Correctional Institution in Westover, Maryland. A jury convicted him in December 2025 for conspiring to obstruct justice, destroy records, and making false statements to a federal agent.
The case goes back to July 12, 2021. One of Sturgis's junior officers used excessive force against an inmate. Instead of reporting it, Sturgis and other officers deleted a video that showed the inmate's injuries. That video was evidence the force had been unlawful.
Sturgis also lied to state and federal investigators during the three-year investigation.
Federal officials were direct in their response to the sentencing. "When a correctional officer tampers with evidence or obstructs an investigation into fellow officers, it undercuts the public's trust in the criminal justice system, thwarts lawful efforts to protect the civil rights of inmates, and threatens the safety of both inmates and other officers," said Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division.
U.S. Attorney Kelly O. Hayes for the District of Maryland put it plainly. "This defendant obstructed a lawful investigation by helping conceal the truth about a violent assault. Our system depends on public officials carrying out their duties honestly and lawfully. Unfortunately, Mr. Sturgis failed to comply with this mandate so now he must pay the price."
FBI Special Agent in Charge Jimmy Paul of the Baltimore Field Office added, "Jermaine Sturgis not only lied about the assault on an inmate but directed a conspiracy to cover up that assault by deleting evidence. Sturgis focused on shielding himself from the consequences of his crimes at the expense of the inmate he swore to protect."
Sturgis was not alone. Four other former ECI officers previously pleaded guilty and were sentenced by Judge Maddox.
Samuel Warren, who carried out the actual assault, received 15 months in federal prison for the assault and obstruction of justice.
Neil Daubach got 12 months and one day for witness tampering and obstruction.
David Quillen was sentenced to two years of probation with six months of home detention for conspiracy and obstruction.
Daric Evans received two years of probation with three months of home detention for conspiracy.
The FBI's Baltimore Division led the investigation, with help from the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. The case was prosecuted by former Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Aubin and Trial Attorney Anita Channapati of the Civil Rights Division's Criminal Section.
