Former Butner Prison Guard Pleads Guilty to Inmate Assault Cover-Up

Three other ex-employees also charged in the incident at the federal prison complex.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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Darryl Antron Campbell, a former lieutenant at the Butner federal prison in North Carolina, has pleaded guilty to one of three charges he and three other former employees face for assaulting an inmate and attempting to cover it up. The incident occurred in 2024 after the prisoner complained about being strip-searched following a visitation.

Why it matters

This case highlights ongoing issues of abuse and misconduct within the U.S. prison system, as well as the need for greater accountability and transparency around how inmates are treated by correctional officers and staff.

The details

According to prosecutors, Campbell and three other former Butner prison employees - Lt. Brandon Marquis Hayes, Lt. Brandon Perez Jones, and special investigative services technician Brandon Jermaine Evans - arranged for the unnamed prisoner to be brought to an office without cameras, where he was ordered to undress. When the prisoner resisted, Hayes allegedly threw him against the wall, resulting in injuries. Afterward, the four employees tried to cover up the assault by lying about the incident to supervisors.

  • The assault occurred in 2024.
  • Campbell pleaded guilty in court on Monday, March 10, 2026.
  • Campbell is scheduled to be sentenced in June 2026.

The players

Darryl Antron Campbell

A former lieutenant at the Butner federal prison who pleaded guilty to obstructing the investigation into the inmate assault.

Lt. Brandon Marquis Hayes

One of the former Butner prison employees charged with assaulting the inmate and attempting to cover it up.

Lt. Brandon Perez Jones

One of the former Butner prison employees charged with assaulting the inmate and attempting to cover it up.

Brandon Jermaine Evans

A former special investigative services technician at Butner prison who was charged with assaulting the inmate and attempting to cover it up.

Ralph Frasier

The attorney representing Darryl Antron Campbell.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights ongoing issues of abuse and misconduct within the U.S. prison system, as well as the need for greater accountability and transparency around how inmates are treated by correctional officers and staff.