BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (AP) - A former Tioga County jail guard who was caught on tape beating a prisoner has pleaded guilty to civil rights violations.
David Monell, of Apalachin, entered the guilty plea Friday at a federal courthouse in Binghamton.
A security camera captured Monell's attack on inmate David Coffey in 2010.
Coffey was handcuffed to a bench when the guard became enraged by something he said and pounded him in the head.
The tape was later obtained by the Press & Sun-Bulletin.
Under sentencing guidelines, Monell could get 18 to 24 months in prison.
Monell was honored by New York's senate in 2010 as Correction Officer of the Year.
He resigned shortly after the attack.
Monell's attorney says his client overreacted after Coffey spit in his face.
(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
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