Former East Texas Correctional Officer Pleads Guilty in Inmate Assault Case

There is a former East Texas correctional officer who pleaded guilty to a civil rights violation.

Who Is Samuel Thomas?

The U.S. Justice Department announced last week that a former corrections officer with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) in Rusk, Texas pleaded guilty for his participation in a conspiracy to assault an inmate in his custody on February 25, 2025. The former officer who pleaded guilty was Samuel Thomas.

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Details From the Federal Plea Agreement

According to his plea agreement, Thomas acknowledged that he was on duty as a TDCJ correctional officer when he opened the door to an inmate's cell. The inmate was only described by his initials (M.S.) and allowed other conspiracy members to strike and injure M.S. This happened just two days after M.S. allegedly spit on Thomas. M.S. suffered bodily injury as a result of the actions of Thomas and the others involved in the assault.

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Possible Prison Sentence and Federal Charges

On May 19, Thomas pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love. Thomas has not been sentenced, and no sentencing date has been set. But according to the plea agreement, Thomas will face a maximum of 10 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000. A judge will determine the sentence based on the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

The case was investigated by the FBI Dallas Field Office and Tyler Resident Agency.

Prosecuting this case are Assistant U.S. Attorneys Alan Jackson and Emil Mikkelsen for the Eastern District of Texas and Trial Attorney Sarah Armstrong of the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section.

We will continue updating this story as more details about sentencing become available.