Convicted NXIVM cult chief Keith Raniere was attacked by a fellow inmate and intercourse offender earlier than being wrongly punished for the incident, his attorneys mentioned in a lawsuit.
Raniere was in the USA Penitentiary Tucson’s eating corridor at 6:50 a.m. on July 26 “when he was assaulted by inmate Maurice Withers with a closed fist on Mr. Raniere’s head and face,” his legal professionals wrote within the swimsuit in opposition to the Division of Justice and the Bureau of Prisons.
It isn’t clear what led to the alleged assault or if the inmate was conscious that Raniere was convicted on a number of prices of operating a cult-like group that stored ladies as digital intercourse prisoners to service him. The group, known as NXIVM, was the topic of HBO’s docuseries “The Vow.”
In keeping with an amended criticism filed earlier this month, Raniere suffered a black eye, swelling, nausea and dizziness for greater than per week after the alleged assault. His requests for ice packs to deal with the swelling and ache have been allegedly denied.
“Mr. Raniere didn’t battle again,” based on court docket papers. “Mr. Raniere has restricted information of the assault.”
Raniere was “given a disciplinary ticket for ‘combating’ ” and positioned within the jail’s Particular Housing Unit. Withers, the alleged attacker, is serving 18 years for his convictions linked to a intercourse trafficking operation.
Lawyer data for Withers was not accessible.
“Resulting from SHU placement, Plaintiff was denied contact authorized visits together with his attorneys and compelled to both yell via plexiglass or be handcuffed and shackled to a stomach chain to speak together with his attorneys,” Raniere’s authorized group mentioned.
A bureau official declined to debate the specifics of Raniere’s claims.
“For security and safety causes the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) doesn’t present details about circumstances of confinement or inside safety practices for any specific inmate,” BOP spokesperson Donald Murphy mentioned in an announcement to NBC Information on Thursday.
“The BOP is dedicated to making sure the protection and safety of all inmates in our inhabitants, our employees, and the general public. Humane therapy of the women and men in our custody is a prime precedence.”
The disciplinary ticket in opposition to Raniere was dismissed on Aug. 23, however the assault and jail response is a part of a “sample of retaliation” in opposition to the plaintiff for “exercising his constitutional rights to problem his legal conviction,” his legal professionals wrote within the lawsuit.
Raniere was sentenced to 120 years in prison following his 2019 conviction on federal intercourse trafficking, racketeering and possession of kid pornography prices.
Polly DeFrank contributed.
