In September of 2024 I reached out to Special Investigation Services (SIS), the BOP equivalent of the Office of Special Investigation (OSI) to provide information regarding ongoing criminal activity at USP Hazelton. Several inmates had overdosed on fentanyl and I wanted to provide information that would help. prevent more drugs from being brought into the prison. I provided a statement to SIS officers Biongiorno and Aldridge through my unit counselor, detailing where weapons and drugs were in my unit, to build trust in my word. I was assured that my communication would be confidential. Despite these promises, I was informed by Officer Kondrla that my confidential statement was copied by members of my unit team and provided to the staff performing the search of my unit (E-1) on September 17. The personnel conducting the search then provided my communication to the inmates residing in my unit.
The day after the search, I was assaulted in my cell by several inmates after returning from work as a facilities electrician. I was stabbed seven times and beaten in the head with a lock over a dozen times. Immediately after the assault, as I laid on the ground bleeding, inmate John Kelley came to my cell door and told me that the inmates had my confidential note, that there were five inmate groups (gangs) involved and that they were going to kill me if I didn’t leave. As I attempted to leave my cell, inmate Samuel Mathieu approached me, brandishing a knife, and both him and inmate Kelley began to assault me a second time, resulting in the guards finally being alerted and all three of us going to the SHU.
I was taken to the hospital and treated for my injuries and then brought back to the prison. I was not treated for the severe concussion I received, despite informing medical personnel about vomiting and severe headaches that I experienced for weeks.
Due to the assault, I requested protective custody status but was instead sent to USP McCreary in Kentucky after spending weeks in the SHU. While at USP McCreary I spoke with Internal Affairs regarding the assault at USP Hazelton and the circumstances that led to my assault. On December 13, I was again assaulted by several inmates in my cell at USP McCreary, taken to medical to be treated and placed in the SHU again. I again requested protective custody status but was instead sent to USP Atwater, after spending several more months in the SHU.
Immediately upon arrival at USP Atwater, I was again assaulted on March 17, 2025, treated at medical and placed in the SHU. I requested PC status once again. While in the SHU at USP Atwater I was supposed to be administratively separated from other inmates but was placed in the cell with a violently mentally ill inmate who sexually assaulted me. I filed a PREA complaint that was closed as “UNSUBSTANTIATED” on 25 April 2025. Bias against me being a protective custody inmate inspired the SHU lieutenant to place me in that cell and directly led to my sexual assault. Thankfully, I was quickly removed from the cell after being assaulted and I am now housed in the Reintegration Unit.
My mental health has been severely impacted due to the assaults. I have experienced paralyzing panic attacks, nightmares and worsening anxiety and depression. After months of seeking help from USP Atwater psychology staff I have finally been diagnosed with Unspecified Trauma and Stressor Related Disorder but have been unable to receive regular counseling with a doctor. Due to the delays in help from psychology staff, I experienced what can only be described as a nervous breakdown during which I suffered immense psychological trauma. Repeated requests for medication to assist with anxiety and depression have been ignored by USP Atwater medical staff. I was placed in a trauma program and “graduated” despite never attending the program, thereby receiving no help with the trauma I have experienced.
My repeated requests for PC status should not have been necessary after the first assault. I will be permanently scarred due to not only the physical violence I experienced but psychologically scarred as well.