Inmates sentenced for violent assault on detention officer

HOUSTON - Two men have been sentenced for aiding and abetting in the assault of a detention officer at the Joe Corley Processing Center, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Juan Ausencio, 24, Spring Branch, and Adin Delgado-Perdomo, 39, Honduras, both pleaded guilty Nov. 14, 2023.

Chief U.S. District Judge Randy Crane has now imposed a 30-month-term of imprisonment for Ausencio. The sentence will run concurrently to his 285-month sentence for carjacking, discharging a firearm during a crime of violence and destruction of federal property. Ausencio must also serve three years on supervised release following his prison term. Delgado-Perdomo received 70 months in federal prison to run concurrent to the 70-month sentence he also received for unlawfully re-entering the United States as a convicted felon. Not a U.S. citizen, Delgado-Perdomo is expected to face removal proceedings following his imprisonment.

"No federal detention officer should have to suffer a bloody nose, swelling in the face and a concussion for simply doing his job," said Hamdani. "We have a duty to protect those who supervise and secure violent offenders. These documented gang members attempted to thwart security measures in the facility and then ganged up on the detention officer when he attempted to undo their handiwork. These prosecutions demonstrate that my office will seek justice when inmates decide to violently attack detention officers."

On Sept. 15, 2022, several inmates housed in the same dorm at the Joe Corley Processing Center intentionally and forcibly assaulted a detention officer while he was assisting federal employees in the performance of official duties.

The officer was in the process of clearing a bar of soap stuffed into the locking mechanism of the door leading to the dorm, which prevents the door from working properly. At that time, the officer received multiple punches and kicks to his body and his head.

He sustained various injuries resulting in cuts and bruises, swelling on his face and head, a bloody nose and mouth as well as a concussion. Corrections officers witnessed the incident and identified the inmates who participated in the assault.

Earlier this year, three others received sentences for their roles in the physical assault of the detention officer - Edwin Paz-Cuevas, 23, Honduras, and Houston residents Victor Enrique Orellana, 36, and Juan Alberto Viera, 32.

All will remain in custody.

The FBI conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Carrie Wirsing prosecuted the case.