Inmate given 14 years for beating CO

Inmate given 14 years for beating CO

Updated: Sep 24, 2013 7:29 AM EST

Associated Press

ALEXANDRIA, La. (AP) – A federal inmate has been sentenced to nearly 14 years in prison for assaulting a prison guard.

U.S. Attorney Stephanie A. Finley said Wednesday that 32-year-old James Peter Thomas, of Phoenix, pleaded guilty in the case June 18.

Authorities say two guards found Thomas and two other inmates drinking a homemade alcoholic beverage in a cell at the U.S. Penitentiary at Pollock. 1 of the guards led the trio out of the cell, but Thomas went back and began beating the guard who was still in the cell.

Thomas was subdued after guards used pepper spray.

At the time of the attack, Thomas was serving a nearly 13½-year combined sentence for brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence and assault resulting in serious bodily injury.