Editor’s note: The name of the inmate who was seriously injured was not released because of the policy at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, which “respects the privacy and rights of all victims (including incarcerated victims). We also have obligations under the Crime Victims’ Rights Act,” said Jessica A. Kuron, public affairs officer.

CONCORD – An inmate at FCI Berlin pleaded guilty Wednesday in federal court in Concord to assaulting and seriously injuring another prisoner, U.S. Attorney Jane E. Young announces.

Aniel Gomez, 48, pleaded guilty to an assault resulting in serious bodily injury. U.S. District Court Judge Steven J. McAuliffe scheduled sentencing for September 26, 2023. Gomez was charged on March 15, 2023.

On December 19, 2022, Gomez beat another inmate with a homemade weapon consisting of two padlocks strapped together.  Prison video footage showed Gomez waiting for the victim.  After the victim exited a shower, Gomez followed him and beat him with the homemade weapon. As a result, the victim suffered head trauma including lacerations above the right eyebrow and back of the head. 

            At the time of the assault, Gomez was serving a 365 month imprisonment for conspiracy to maintain a residence for manufacturing and distributing marijuana, and conspiracy to manufacture and distribute 100 or more marijuana plants.

The charging statute provides a sentence of no greater than 10 years in prison, 3 years of supervised release, a fine of $250,000 and restitution. Sentences are imposed by a federal district court judge based upon the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and statutes which govern the determination of a sentence in a criminal case.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and FCI-Berlin’s Office of the Special Investigative Supervisor led the investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew T. Hunter is prosecuting the case.