CHARLESTON, W.Va. — In the span of about 24 hours, U.S. District Judge Joseph Goodwin sentenced four former correctional officers at Southern Regional Jail to prison time following the 2022 beating death of an inmate.
Corey Snyder, 30, of Shady Spring, was sentenced Thursday to 19 years and seven months for conspiring with other officers to violate the inmate’s civil rights by using unreasonable force, resulting in death.
Snyder was one of the multiple guards that beat inmate Quantez Burks, 33, to death in one of the jail’s interview rooms. The room was free from surveillance cameras.
Jacob Boothe, 27, of Rainelle, was sentenced to three years in prison Thursday for failing to intervene to stop fellow officers from assaulting Burks.
Burks was beaten with unreasonable force in the interview room while handcuffed after he had supposedly tried to push past an officer and leave his pod. Burks was handcuffed and restrained while officers delivered blows to his head, kneed him, and pepper-sprayed him.
Snyder was one of the officers that was called when Burks tried to leave his pod. Snyder put his arm around Burks’ neck and took him to the ground.
According to documents, Snyder was also one of the officers using unreasonable force against Burks once inside the interview room.
Seven former correctional officers have been indicted since the incident. Mark Holdren, 41, was sentenced to 20 years in prison and Jonathan Walters, 33, was sentenced to 21 years in prison on Wednesday for their roles in Burks’ death.
According to a release from the U.S. Department of Justice, one former correctional officer involved in the death is awaiting his sentencing. Andrew Fleshman, 23, of Shady Spring, pleaded guilty to conspiring to use unreasonable force against. He is scheduled to be sentenced by Chief Judge Volk on Monday.