Inmate Convicted Of Aggravated Assault Of Correctional Officer

Sentenced To Enhanced Punishment In Attack For Gang Offense

Hardeman County - Diligent work by TDOC agents, the Whiteville Police Department and the office of 25th District Attorney General Mike Dunavant led to an additional 12-year sentence against inmate Frederick Armstrong for his attack on a correctional officer at the Whiteville Correctional Facility in 2013.

In March 2013, Armstrong assaulted Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) Officer Timothy Boyd. The attack was unprovoked and left Officer Boyd with permanent injuries. The office of District Attorney Mike Dunavant worked closely with TDOC and the Whiteville Police Department on the case. During the trial in January of 2016, TDOC Gang Specialist Chris Bernard testified Armstrong was a member of the 52 Hoover Crips gang, and committed the assault against Officer Boyd in order to advance the criminal activity of that gang.

The Hardeman County jury found Armstrong guilty of Aggravated Assault Causing Serious Bodily Injury and the Sentencing Enhancement for Criminal Gang Offense. As a result, Armstrong was given the maximum sentence of 12 years within the enhanced range. Armstrong is already serving a 25 year sentence for Second Degree Murder for a 2005 case from Maury County.

The unwavering mission of the Tennessee Department of Correction is to operate safe and secure prisons and provide effective community supervision in order to enhance public safety, and assaults against staff absolutely will not be tolerated. The Department would like to thank District Attorney Dunavant’s office, as well as the Whiteville Police Department for their excellent work in this case.