Prison guard faces federal charges

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., July 24 (UPI) -- A Florida prison guard has been charged with violating the civil rights of an inmate by pouring hot water on him, the U.S. Justice Department said Thursday.

A federal grand jury in Jacksonville handed up an indictment Wednesday against Paul Tillis. The case was investigated by the department's Civil Rights Division.

Tillis was hired by the state in 2001 and promoted to sergeant in 2005, the Florida Times-Union said. He was dismissed from Florida State Prison after the 2005 incident that led to his indictment.

This year, the state reached a settlement with Tillis, who had appealed his dismissal. He was allowed to resign in return for dropping any action against the state, the report said

He faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted on the federal charge.

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