Former Correctional Sergeant Sentenced to Federal Prison for Excessive, Unlawful Force Against Inmate

INDIANAPOLIS- Shaunacy Edmonds, 36, of Muncie, has been sentenced to five months in federal prison, followed by two years of supervised release after pleading guilty to deprivation of rights under color of law.

According to court documents, Shaunacy Edmonds had been employed as a sergeant and correctional officer at the Pendleton Correctional Facility since August 2020. The Pendleton Correctional Facility is a level three maximum-security adult prison operated by the Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC).

On March 14, 2024, inmate E.C. was removed from his cell after creating a homemade noose and attempting self-harm. Following established protocol, the IDOC Quick Response Team transported E.C. to the prison infirmary for evaluation.

E.C., visibly agitated, was seated in a chair so nurses could safely assess him. During this time, he threatened to spit on the officers, prompting Edmonds to place a spit mask over his face. Surveillance video shows E.C. turning his head to speak to Sgt. Edmonds, who then lifted E.C. and slammed him onto the floor, directly on his head. Sgt. Edmonds subsequently drove his knee into E.C.'s head. As additional correctional officers moved in to gain control of E.C., Sgt. Edmonds delivered six closed-fist strikes to E.C.'s head. A lieutenant intervened, blocking Edmonds' hand and ordering him to stop. Throughout the incident, E.C. remained handcuffed.

E.C. was then taken to the shakedown booth to calm down and await further medical attention. As a result of the force used by Edmonds, E.C. suffered a swollen lip and a cut on his forehead. Sgt. Edmonds acknowledged that slamming a handcuffed inmate onto his head was unjustified and inconsistent with IDOC use-of-force training.

The force used was deemed so excessive that, after Edmonds submitted his incident report, a supervisory officer escorted him out of the facility. Edmonds was subsequently terminated from his position as a correctional officer.

The Federal Bureau of Investigations investigated this case with assistance provided by the Indiana Department of Corrections. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Judge James R. Sweeney, II.

"When a corrections officer takes the law into their own hands and inflicts punitive, excessive force on an inmate, they don't just endanger that individual, they undermine the safety and integrity of the entire facility. This kind of conduct escalates tension, encourages resistance rather than cooperation, and puts fellow officers at greater risk," said Tom Wheeler, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana. "Sgt. Edmonds' actions were not only reckless and cruel, but a blatant betrayal of IDOC training and standards. This sentence sends a clear message: such abuse of authority will not be tolerated."

"Every person, regardless of where they are, is entitled to the protections guaranteed by the Constitution," said Special Agent in Charge Timothy O'Malley of the FBI Indianapolis Field Office. "Those who misuse their authority under color of law to violate another person's civil rights will be held accountable. The FBI remains committed to protecting civil rights and ensuring public officials uphold the responsibilities entrusted to them."

U.S. Attorney Wheeler thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter A. Blackett and Carolyn Haney who prosecuted this case.

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