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USP Thomson inmate charged with 2nd-degree murder, assault in connection to death of fellow inmate

Donta Maddox, 44, attacked his fellow inmate Bobby Everson on Dec. 15, 2021, according to the indictment.

THOMSON, Ill — A U.S. Penitentiary Thomson inmate faces second-degree murder and assault charges for attacking a fellow inmate back in December 2021, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois announced Wednesday. 

Donta Maddox, 44, attacked his fellow inmate Bobby Everson on Dec. 15, 2021. Everson succumbed to his injuries, according to an indictment returned in the U.S. District Court in Rockford. News 8 has reached out to determine why he was originally incarcerated. 

Maddox faces a maximum sentence of life in federal prison for the second-degree murder charge and 10 years for the assault charge. His arraignment has not yet been scheduled. 

This comes months after the U.S. Department of Justice launched an investigation into the prison following the release of a "disturbing" report from NPR and the Marshall Project. The report details the deaths of several inmates and alleged abuse by prison staff. 

RELATED: USP Thomson staff union calls for warden's immediate removal

There have also been calls to remove Warden Thomas Bergami from the union representing the prison. AFGE Local 4070 claimed Bergami has failed in his position to keep staff, inmates and communities safe. Bergami has served in this position since March. 

Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin visited the prison in July following these allegations against Bergami. Durbin refused to comment on the union's allegations but did say he didn't see any evidence of inmate abuse during his visit. 

RELATED: Sen. Durbin says USP Thomson conduct is 'a reasonable situation' during prison visit

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