Two correctional officers employed at the Lawrence Correctional Center near Sumner appeared in federal court this week and admitted to conspiracy to deprive a restrained inmate there of his civil rights.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office of Southern Illinois, both 28-year-old Craig Muhs and 30-year-old Ethan Yates both pled guilty to the charge. It stems from an incident at the prison in late July of 2025 when Muhs who was a guard and Yates who was a lieutenant both admitted to striking the restrained inmate after a mistaken belief that he had assaulted a female employee. It was part of a six-person conspiracy in which the inmate was also pepper sprayed and asphyxiated while in leg shackles and handcuffs. The victim received numerous injuries including an orbital fracture.
The men did not intervene when other employees abused the victim, did not submit required reports regarding the incident and failed to obtain appropriate medical attention for him.
Muhs is scheduled for sentencing on November 9, and Yates on November 12, in U.S. Federal Court in Benton.
Gould upends Whitaker for Cloverdale school board seat
Fidler wins seat on Putnam County Council, Republicans carry County Council
Putnam County 2026 Election Results
Rutenberg earns spot on Cloverdale Town Board
Woodall retains seat on Commissioners
Indiana Department of Education changing how schools are graded
Clovers ready to host sectional championship game
