DENVER—An inmate at the U.S. Penitentiary in Florence has pleaded guilty to charges in an attack on another inmate who had refused to participate in a racially based riot at the prison last year.
Clifford Leonard agreed to plead guilty to assault resulting in serious bodily injury and to aiding and abetting in the crime, according to a plea agreement filed Monday in U.S. District Court in Denver. He is scheduled to be sentenced Feb. 8.
Leonard and at least three other inmates attacked Dirk Horne in a prison gym on April 20, 2008, according to court documents. The attack came shortly after a racial disturbance that involved more than 200 inmates, some of whom were celebrating Adolf Hitler’s birthday.
Horne was repeatedly punched and kicked in the head and torso. He needed stitches on his lip and ear and had a broken nose and ribs.
Inmates Christopher Copeland, Jody Stamp and Richard Frey reached plea agreements earlier for their roles in the attack.
