Former USP Hazelton Inmate Convicted on Obstruction and Assault Charges

CLARKSBURG, WV—A 42-year-old federal inmate was convicted on January 29, 2013, by a Clarksburg jury on six counts. The trial lasted six days, concluding late afternoon Tuesday afternoon. Judge Irene M. Keeley presided over the trial.

United States Attorney William J. Ihlenfeld, II announced that Tarvis Leviticus Dunham, a former inmate at the United States Penitentiary in Hazelton, West Virginia, was convicted on one count of obstructing justice by retaliating against a witness and five counts of assaulting, resisting, and impeding certain officers or employees of the Bureau of Prisons.

Trial evidence indicated that on June 14, 2011, Dunham attempted to retaliate against a case manager for producing a record and document during disciplinary proceedings conducted by the Bureau of Prisons relating to an incident that occurred on November 8, 2010. Dunham forcibly assaulted the case manager and when other correctional officers attempted to restrain Dunham, he forcibly assaulted them by kicking and biting them. He also refused to comply with their orders before they were able to restrain and handcuff him. Dunham was transferred to another United States Penitentiary that same day. A week after the incident, the staff at USP Lee recorded a telephone call between Dunham and his mother where Dunham told his mother that he “about near killed that woman.”

Dunham, who is in custody where he is currently serving a 318-month sentence, faces up to 89 years’ imprisonment and a $1,350,000 fine.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brandon S. Flower and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Special Investigative Services Unit at USP Hazelton.