A federal inmate at the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex in Sumter County, Florida, has pleaded guilty to violently assaulting a correctional officer, the U.S. Department of Justice confirmed on Monday.
Ali Odeh Abdeljaber, 31, who is currently serving a sentence at the United States Penitentiary I within the Coleman complex, admitted in federal court to forcibly assaulting and inflicting bodily injury on a federal officer. The incident occurred on March 18, 2024, during a routine attempt by a Bureau of Prisons officer to escort Abdeljaber back to his assigned cell.
According to court documents, Abdeljaber became combative during the escort and headbutted the officer in the face. The attack caused significant injuries, including the fracturing of two of the officer’s teeth.
U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announced the guilty plea, noting that Abdeljaber now faces a potential maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison for the assault. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.
The case was investigated jointly by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP). It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Hannah Nowalk Watson.
This case underscores ongoing concerns regarding staff safety within federal correctional facilities. The U.S. Bureau of Prisons has reported an increase in inmate-on-staff assaults in recent years, prompting calls for enhanced officer protection and revised inmate management protocols.
For further official details, refer to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida: justice.gov/usao-mdfl.
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