Inmate at Berlin prison charged in padlock beating

CONCORD - The U.S. Attorneys Office has announced that an inmate at the Federal Correctional Institution FCI-Berlin, has been charged with one count of assault in connection with an incident in December.

According to the indictment and statements made in court, Anniel Gomez on Dec. 19 beat another inmate with a weapon consisting of two padlocks strapped together. As a result, the alleged victim lost four teeth and suffered head trauma, including lacerations above the right eyebrow and back of the head.

The charges in the indictment are only allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

This matter was investigated by the FBI and FCI-Berlin's Office of the Special Investigative Supervisor. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Hunter.