Missouri prison supervisor admits trying to cover up guard attack on inmate

AP — A lieutenant at the U.S. Medical Center for Federal Prisoners in Springfield is facing up to three years in prison after admitting that he persuaded an inmate not to report being assaulted by a prison guard.

Federal prosecutors say 42-year-old James Myrick, of Nixa, pleaded guilty Wednesday. He admitted that he was present when a guard hit inmate Shawn Springer, who had been in a dispute with the guard's wife.

Myrick said he offered Springer a better cell if he didn't tell anyone about the assault. Springer then told a nurse he hit his head while cleaning his bunk.

After Springer discussed the injury with a psychologist, Myrick wrote a memo that claimed Springer's head injury was pre-existing, which was later contradicted by staff members.