I have been incarcerated for 25 years on a 34-year sentence, without a criminal history. I’ve finally made it to a low-security facility after about two decades in USPs. I have made it my goal to stay clear of drugs and gangs.
When I arrived here, I right away sought work and began painting murals, for no pa. I just wanted to build a portfolio and make the institution less of an asylum (SMU-USP) experience. I wanted it to feel less like prison and more inviting for those who live here.
I painted the lieutenant’s office and recreation department ceiling. I joined the GROW program, where I also painted murals. Then, i was asked to paint in the education department.
On October 17, 2025, I was painting in the “FSA classroom,” using the projector, when a young gay kid named Kevin came in. I like him, because he separated from drug and user types of people and is trying to move to the GROW unit as well. He wants to change the trajectory of his time. He, like most of the gay guys, often gave me hugs. On that day, Keven came into the room while the 2 p.m. move was going on and told me he was leaving Thomson, but wanted to see how i was enlarging the images I would paint using the projector and transfer paper. So, I showed him and he gave me a hug. Yes, he did cop a feel, but nothing was under clothing. I went to work drawing and he left.
About five days later, I was called to the lieutenant’s office by Lt. Troutman, who tried to pressure me into admitting to having PREA contact of some kind with Kevin. (I am pretty sure another inmate, who had designs on Keven, submitted a complaint about me.) He said it’s all on camera. On Oct. 25, I was served a shot by Lt. Stoke (who is in charge of seized property), I was given a 205 shot for “engaging in sexual acts,” claiming I had engaged with oral sex with Keven. They also called in an acting DHO who was working at the camp as a unit manager, He finds everyone guilty. The actual DHO regularly throws out Thomson’s shots because they are as ridiculous as mine. (I later found out that $1,000 of my property was thrown out by CO Duggan, who works my unit. My previous celly witnessed him using his key to unlock my locker. But on my property slip, staff lied as always and wrote at the top that my locker was “found unsecured.” This is their way of not being held liable for tort claims. All my art supplies were gone (even pencils and paper that i transferred into Thomson with), My Native American pipe bag and bundle (which i have possessed for 12 years) was found in the trash by an inmate (staff never returned it to my property), My celly said he gave $300 worth of property to my counselor to be placed in my property, but the SHU lieutenant told me i have nothing coming.
Later, I found out three other inmates were pressured to tell staff that I bullied guys into sexual acts. But everyone told them that i was a great guy and a good friend who encouraged them to better themselves. That, despite the fact that the dog unit (F-1) is run by unit manager Smitty, who encourages dog handlers to tell on each other. I never treat transgenders, gays, even a lot of the sex offenders any differently than the others.
I was finally questioned by SIS Officer Cotton, who asked me if it would be an issue to go back to the compound, I told him no. He stated that he was going to sign off to release me back to the compound. But it didn’t happen. (The captain kicked the paperwork back to SIS for “correction.”) I am now being transferred.
This is how Thomson plays. Staff uses a guy for good work, and then they screw you over, dirtying your name and paperwork. I am a white inmate and a 205 shot will get me stabbed in a higher-security place, Thomson has placed my life in danger. My actions were nothing more then a 409 shot, which is unauthorized touching, hugging, kissing, groping, etc.. I pointed this out to the DHO and he refused to lower my shot.
My appeal is still with the region, or I assume it is. Thomson is corrupt, and throws SHU mail out on purpose. Note: While in the SHU at Thomson, I was left in a cell with a toilet that was flooded to the brim with feces for four days, and the guards would not move me or bring a plunger. CO Russell said he “don’t give a fuck.” For four days, me and my celly had to crap on top of crap and urinate in the sink, while running the water in fear of the feces overflowing.