PANAMA CITY, FL—Late yesterday, a federal trial jury convicted Kenneth Hobson, 33, of Memphis, Tennessee, of knowingly assaulting and injuring a correctional officer at the Federal Correctional Institution in Marianna. The verdict was announced by Pamela C. Marsh, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

At trial, the government presented evidence that, in July 2014, Hobson forcibly assaulted a corrections officer after the officer attempted to search him for possession of contraband. During the assault, Hobson delivered multiple punches to the officer’s face and body, punching and kicking the officer as he was rendered unconscious. The officer fell to the ground, and Hobson continued to punch and kick him. The officer sustained contusions to his face and jaw, a fractured cheek bone, and a loose tooth.

Hobson faces a maximum of 20 years in prison. Sentencing has been scheduled for November 10, 2015, at 9:00 a.m. at the United States Courthouse in Panama City, Florida. The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kathryn D. Risinger.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. The office strives to protect and serve the citizens of the Northern District of Florida through the ethical, vigorous, and impartial enforcement of the laws of the United States, to defend the national security, to improve the safety and quality of life in our communities through the protection of civil rights, and to protect the public funds and financial assets of the United States. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.