A former Tennessee Department of Corrections officer, Javian Griffin, has been sentenced to a four-year prison term after pleading guilty to using excessive force on an inmate and attempting to conceal his conduct with a falsified report, as reported by Local Memphis. The 38-year-old former officer will also face three years of supervised release following his incarceration.

Griffin's sentencing comes after a series of events where he was said to have assaulted an inmate by striking him in the head without provocation, subsequently leading to the inmate's jaw being broken. In an effort to apparently shield himself from the ramifications of his actions, Griffin crafted a report marred by inaccuracies. His co-defendant, Sebron Hollands, also a former officer with the Tennessee Department of Corrections, pleaded guilty last October to assisting in the cover-up and was handed a 15-month prison sentence back in February, details obtained by WSMV reveal.

The U.S. Department of Justice has been explicit in its position, with U.S. Attorney Kevin G. Ritz affirming that "No correctional officer is above the law.” He elaborated on the officials’ responsibilities, emphasizing the seriousness of the breach of trust in this incident. His comments were reflected in a statement by Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke, who emphasized accountability for any official who violates inmates' civil rights, as per a report by Local Memphis.

Clarke strongly voiced her disdain for the actions committed by Griffin, stating: “The defendant pledged to protect and serve but instead he abused his authority as a corrections officer, violently punching a man in the head and breaking his jaw,” and to make matters worse, he attempted to then cover up his tracks with a false report, as reported by WVLT8. These remarks emphasize the gravity of an act that has thoroughly prompted a reassessment of trust and integrity within the penal enforcement system.