A former Texas Department of Criminal Justice correctional officer has pleaded guilty to a federal civil-rights charge after admitting that he opened an incarcerated man’s cell and allowed other people involved in a conspiracy to assault him.

Samuel Lee Thomas IV, 26, was working as a correctional officer at the Hodge Unit in Rusk, Texas, when the assault occurred on February 25, 2025. According to the U.S. Department of Justice and Thomas’ plea agreement, the incarcerated man was identified only by the initials M.S.

Federal prosecutors said Thomas opened the door to M.S.’s cell while on duty and allowed other members of the conspiracy to enter and strike him. The attack was carried out in retaliation after M.S. reportedly spit on Thomas two days earlier. M.S. suffered bodily injuries during the assault.

Thomas pleaded guilty on May 19 before U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love to one count of violating 18 U.S.C. § 241, a federal law prohibiting conspiracies to deprive people of rights protected by the Constitution or federal law.

The guilty plea establishes that the assault was not the independent action of one person. However, information released by federal authorities does not identify the other conspiracy members or establish whether they were correctional officers, incarcerated individuals or other people. Any additional participants and their roles have not been publicly detailed.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division said Thomas participated in a conspiracy to beat and injure a man who was under his care and custody. U.S. Attorney Jay R. Combs for the Eastern District of Texas said correctional officers hold positions of significant responsibility and that abusing that authority damages the integrity of the justice system while endangering incarcerated people and staff.

The case was investigated by the FBI’s Dallas Field Office through its Tyler Resident Agency. Prosecutors from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas and the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division are handling the case.

Thomas faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled, and the sentence will ultimately be determined by a federal judge after considering federal sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

The case provides a documented example of a correctional officer using his control over an incarcerated person’s cell to facilitate a retaliatory assault. It also demonstrates the importance of independent investigations when allegations involve the actions of government employees entrusted with the safety and custody of incarcerated people.

Texas Prison News will continue monitoring the case for information about Thomas’ sentencing and any additional developments involving the other members of the conspiracy.