Oct 15, 2012 1 min read

Associated Press PITTSBURGH (AP) The former major in charge of guards at the Allegheny County Jail has pleaded guilty in federal court to falsifying a report in which he covered up that he’d punched an inmate who was caught trying to escape through the jail ventilation system.

Fifty-year-old James Donis will be sentenced Feb. 20 and, under federal guidelines, faces between 12 to 18 months in prison. Donis allegedly fabricated a report last year after he learned the FBI was investigating complaints by inmate Gary Barbour who claimed he was beaten by Donis despite peacefully surrendering after his escape attempt was thwarted. Barbour has a federal civil rights lawsuit pending against Donis and the county. His lawyer was in court Monday for the guilty plea and says it should help Barbour’s case.