Briefly in Kansas

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Mar 4, 2000 by Capital-Journal

KANSAS CITY, Kan. --- Three prison employees indicted in inmate beatings --- Three employees of the U.S. Penitentiary at Leavenworth have been indicted in the beatings of two inmates at the prison, U.S. Attorney Jackie N. Williams said.

The three, Stewart Venable, 37, and Willie Mack, 36, both of Leavenworth, and Gordon E. Cummings, 47, of Tonganoxie, were charged with criminal civil rights violations in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury Thursday, Williams said.

All three were indicted in the assaulting and striking of Tyrone Long, a Leavenworth inmate, on March 28, 1997, causing injuries to Long. Venable and Mack also were indicted for a criminal civil rights violation against inmate Kristen Maples, who was assaulted and struck the same day, Williams said.

If convicted, the three each face a maximum of 10 years in federal prison, without parole, on each count. They are scheduled to make their first appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge David J. Waxse at 10 a.m. March 23.