VIRGINIA ( DC News Now ) — A Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP) lieutenant and nurse were found guilty for their involvement in an inmate’s death nearly four years ago.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO) said 49-year-old Lt. Shronda Covington and Registered Nurse 53-year-old Tonya Farley – both of whom are from Chesterfield – were working at the Federal Correctional Institution at Petersburg on Jan. 9, 2021.
Covington failed to ensure a 47-year-old inmate “W.W.” was given necessary medical care, even though she knew he had a “serious medical need.”
In the early morning hours, the USAO said W.W.’s cellmate reported he was exhibiting “bizarre and unprecedented behavior, including that he was suddenly incontinent and unable to talk and walk normally.”
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Over the course of two days, FBOP officials knew W.W. had symptoms of a sudden neurological crisis, but disregarded his need for medical attention.
W.W. fell into walls and other objects numerous times, causing significant bruising and bleeding to his head and body. Despite FBOP policy requiring staff to provide inmates with medical care, Covington and Anderson “failed to respond to repeated calls for help from inmates and line staff,” according to the USAO.