A former corrections officer at the D.C. jail has pleaded guilty to a criminal civil rights charge for beating an inmate.
Victor Bell, 25, pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court in the District to deprivation of rights under color of law, according to authorities and court records.
Prosecutors say Bell became upset with an inmate who expressed disapproval while Bell was conducting a pat-down search of another inmate on Jan. 4. The inmate walked away, and Bell followed and confronted him.
The inmate again tried to walk away, and Bell continued to follow him, then pushed him in his back, prosecutors said. Bell then grabbed the inmate by the shoulder, pushed him and began punching him repeatedly in the head. He grabbed the inmate’s dreadlocks and pulled one out, authorities said.
The inmate never physically fought Bell, who continued beating him until other officers pulled Bell away. The inmate was disoriented after the altercation and treated for a cut to his eye.
