PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Rejecting a motion for leniency, Superior Court Judge Daniel A. Procaccini sentenced a former ranking prison guard to serve 18 months at the Adult Correctional Institutions for assaulting and abusing inmates.
Gualter Botas, 44, of Johnston, who rose to the rank of captain at the ACI, apologized to his fellow corrections officers, family and victims for his behavior.
"I look back at that time and wonder who that person was," said Botas, reading from a prepared statement.
Procaccini, who presided over the trial of Botas and another guard five years ago, denied Botas's motion for a reduced sentence.
Members of his family became hysterical in the small fourth-floor courtroom. They burst into tears and approached him as sheriffs snapped handcuffs on his wrists.
"Don't take him away," yelled one woman. His elderly mother appeared as though she might collapse.
Botas will immediately begin serving his sentence.