Three Prison Guards Plead Guilty to Violation of Rights Under Color of Law

Press Release

Brandon Montanari, Rohail Kahn, and Michael Williams Assaulted an Inmate at Mid-State Correctional Facility

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - Brandon Montanari, age 34, Rohail Kahn, age 28, and Michael Williams, age 38, have each pled guilty to depriving an inmate at Mid-State Correctional Facility of his rights under color of law. United States Attorney John A. Sarcone III and Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the Albany Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), made the announcement.

In pleading guilty, Montanari, Kahn, and Williams admitted to assaulting an inmate at Mid-State Correctional Facility in April 2023, including punching and kicking him without cause, causing bodily injury. Each defendant admitted further that he agreed with the others to lie about the assault during an internal investigation.

At the sentencings scheduled for late July and August, each defendant faces a maximum imprisonment term of 10 years, a term of post-imprisonment supervised release of up to three years, and a maximum fine of $250,000.

FBI is investigating the case with assistance from the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Office of Special Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael F. Perry and Michael D. Gadarian are prosecuting the case.

Updated April 23, 2025