Written by Samuel Bennett.
Ronald Colton McAbee, an inmate linked to the January 6 events, has initiated legal action against the Washington DC Department of Corrections, alleging severe mistreatment. This legal battle stems from an incident in September 2022, where McAbee claims he was unjustly pepper-sprayed by a guard for momentarily removing his mask to take medication—an action purportedly in line with jail protocol. The lawsuit, which was filed in federal court this past Tuesday, accuses guard Crystal Lancaster of using excessive force under circumstances that did not warrant such an aggressive response.
McAbee, who is currently serving a 70-month sentence for his role in assaulting Capitol Police officers, recounted that while he was in his cell, Lancaster sprayed him with a chemical agent from close range. According to McAbee, this was done “knowingly, maliciously, and sadistically,” despite the DC Jail policy allowing the removal of face masks for medical purposes such as taking medication.
Escalation and Alleged Torture Tactics
The situation reportedly escalated when Lancaster, after administering the first round of pepper spray, called for backup and subjected McAbee to a second spray. Following this, McAbee was allegedly placed in a shower with scalding water, intensifying the pain from the chemical agent, a method described in the lawsuit as amplifying the burning sensation deliberately. The complaint details that McAbee was then denied proper decontamination and was instead taken to a medical facility while still handcuffed, further compounding his distress by having a COVID-19 mask forcibly placed on his face during transport.
McAbee’s ordeal didn’t end after medical treatment. He claims he was placed in solitary confinement for three days, during which the residual effects of the chemical spray caused him continuous intense burning pain. Relief only came on the third day when a sympathetic officer allowed him a proper shower to alleviate the suffering—a small respite from what McAbee describes as ongoing physical and emotional trauma.
Legal and Political Repercussions
This case has captured the attention of not only the legal system but also the political arena. Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Texas, has taken a particular interest, launching an inquiry in January 2023 that includes requests for body camera footage and other records from the DOC, U.S. Marshals, and the Metropolitan Police Department. Nehls has voiced frustrations over what he perceives as governmental stonewalling in response to his inquiries, highlighting a potentially broader issue of transparency and accountability in the handling of inmates.
The implications of McAbee’s lawsuit extend beyond his personal claims, touching on concerns of systemic issues within the DC Department of Corrections. As this case unfolds, it continues to be a focal point for discussions on the treatment of inmates and the responsibilities of correctional officers to uphold standards of human decency and legal rights.
Our Take
The allegations made by Ronald Colton McAbee paint a grim picture of the potential abuses within the correctional system, suggesting a troubling disregard for the protocols and rights of inmates. If these claims are substantiated, they highlight a severe need for reform in how correctional facilities are managed and how inmates are treated. Such incidents betray the principles of justice and rehabilitation that the system purports to uphold and should prompt a reevaluation of the practices employed by those in positions of power over the incarcerated.
Today, I demanded the Director of the US Marshals Service call on the DC jail to release video footage of one of his J6 detainees, who was sprayed with chemicals for removing his COVID mask to take medication.
The director committed to working with my team to meet this request. pic.twitter.com/96KYb1GiL5
— Congressman Troy E. Nehls (@RepTroyNehls) February 14, 2024