Former New York prison guard pleads guilty in connection with inmate's
beating death
[May 31, 2025]
UTICA, N.Y. (AP) — A former upstate New York prison guard
pleaded guilty Friday for his role in what prosecutors called a coverup
of the beating death of inmate by fellow guards.
Joshua Bartlett entered guilty pleas to hindering prosecution and
falsifying records, both felonies, in connection with the March 1 death
of Messiah Nantwi at Mid-State Correctional Facility in Marcy, near
Utica. Bartlett appeared for a hearing in Oneida County Court in Utica,
where sentencing was set for Aug. 8.
Ten correction officers, not including Bartlett, were indicted in
connection with the fatal beating. Two of the 10, Jonah Levi and Caleb
Blair, are charged with second-degree murder. All 10 have pleaded not
guilty. Bartlett is the first guard to plead guilty in connection with
the case.
Nantwi died from injuries he sustained in a series of beatings by guards
that began in his room and continued even when he was lying handcuffed
on the floor of the infirmary, the indictment says.
Bartlett was accused of helping other guards cover up what happened,
including filing a false use-of-force report.
Bartlett was beaten after an emergency response team was called to
Nantwi’s room to help National Guard members who became concerned when
he involved himself in another inmate’s effort to obtain medication and
was resistant during a headcount, according to prosecutors. The National
Guard was deployed to Mid-State and other prisons because of an
unauthorized, three-week strike by guards who were upset over working
conditions.
The situation was resolved by the time the response team arrived. Nantwi
objected to being handcuffed for no apparent reason and grabbed
Bartlett's vest, with several guards immediately raining blows on his
head and body using their fists, batons and boots, the indictment said.
The attack intensified when Nantwi bit the hands of two guards,
prosecutors said.
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The Mid-State Correctional Facility is seen in Marcy, N.Y., April
16, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael Hill, File)
Nantwi became unresponsive and guards transported him toward the
infirmary, but he was assaulted a second time in a stairwell, according
to prosecutors.
Nantwi died several months after Robert Brooks was fatally beaten at the
Marcy Correctional Facility near the Mid-State prison. Six guards were
charged with second-degree murder in Brooks’ Dec. 9 beating. One of
those guards pleaded guilty earlier this month to first-degree
manslaughter under a plea deal.
Another three prison employees were charged with manslaughter in the
Brooks case and an another officer pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor
charge of attempted tampering with physical evidence.
Bartlett was among 18 guards, including the 10 who were indicted, who
either resigned or were suspended after Nantwi's death. Prosecutors have
said several guards who weren't indicted agreed to cooperate with
authorities.
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