Third Officer Sentenced For Inmate’s Death At Southern Regional Jail

Ashley Toney, a former corrections officer at the Southern Regional Jail, was sentenced Monday to more than six years in prison.

Toney pleaded guilty last August, admitting she had an opportunity to intervene to stop other officers from assaulting inmate Quantez Burks but chose not to make any reasonable effort to do so.   

“The defendant’s inaction led to the death of a 37-year-old man, and afterwards she attempted to shield herself and fellow officers from being held accountable for his death,” Acting United States Attorney Lisa G. Johnston said in a press release. “Through her criminal conduct, the defendant violated the public’s trust in the law enforcement system she swore to uphold.”

This is the third sentencing in this case where seven correctional officers pleaded guilty in connection with the assault of Burks. Burks died from injuries sustained in the assault in March 2022.

Former SRJ correctional officer Steven Nicholas Wimmer, 25, of Bluefield, was sentenced to nine years in prison on May 8 for conspiring to use unreasonable force against Burks. Former Lieutenant Chad Lester was sentenced to 17 years and six months May 15 on obstruction of justice charges for his role in conspiring to cover up Burks’ death.

Sentencing hearings for the remaining officers are scheduled in July.