Brandon Montanari, a former corrections officer at Mid-State Correctional Facility in New York, was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison and two years of supervised release for violating an inmate’s civil rights. The sentencing took place in Syracuse, New York.
Montanari, age 34 and from East Concord, admitted to assaulting an inmate in April 2023 along with fellow officers Rohail Kahn and Michael Williams. Both Kahn, age 28, and Williams, age 38, have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing. According to the plea, the three officers punched and kicked the inmate without cause during a late-night incident in a hallway. They later agreed to provide false information about the event to internal investigators.
Acting United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III commented on the case: “I recognize how difficult it is to work as a corrections officer in New York State, but nobody is above the law. It is unacceptable for a corrections officer to assault an inmate. With our law enforcement partners, we will continue to investigate these types of incidents and, where appropriate, bring federal criminal charges.”
FBI Special Agent in Charge Craig L. Tremaroli stated: “Mr. Montanari admitted to assaulting an inmate and lying to cover it up. Now he is headed to federal prison. Today’s sentence proves the FBI will not look the other way when an officer violates the laws they are sworn to uphold.”
The sentencing hearings for Williams and Khan are scheduled for September 26 and September 29, 2025 respectively before Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes.
The FBI led the investigation with support from the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Office of Special Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael F. Perry and Michael D. Gadarian are prosecuting.
