Federal inmate sentenced for assaulting officer
An inmate at the Federal Medical Center in Butner (FMC Butner) was sentenced yesterday for assaulting a federal law enforcement officer working at FMC Butner in 2022.
According to the indictment in May, the inmate, Timothy Leak, 47, refused the officer’s orders to wear his mask and return to his cell. He became aggressive, and ran to a nearby room on the housing unit.
He rushed toward the officer and slammed the heavy metal door on the officer’s arm, pinning it in the door. Throughout this altercation, Leak was verbally aggressive toward the officer. The officer was able to free her arm after calling for assistance from other staff members. As a result of this contact, the officer suffered injuries to her arm that ultimately required surgery to repair.
Thomas Scarantino, Complex Warden at the Federal Correctional Complex in Butner stated, “I would like to thank the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina for their continued support in prosecuting these cases. I would also like to thank the legal team and staff at FCC Butner who have assisted with this case. I have zero tolerance for inmates assaulting, resisting, or impeding the staff members who work tirelessly at FCC Butner.”
Due to Leak’s criminal history and the severity of the assault, United States Federal District Court Judge James C. Dever III sentenced Leak to 21 months in prison. Leak previously pled guilty to the count of Assault on a Federal Officer on August 30, 2023.
