The United States Attorney's Office
Central District of California

United States Attorney's Office
Central District of California

Thom Mrozek
Public Affairs Officer

(213) 894-6947
thom.mrozek@usdoj.gov

January 23, 2008

FORMER GUARD AT CHINO PRISON PLEADS GUILTY TO PERJURY FOR LYING TO GRAND JURY INVESTIGATING FELLOW OFFICER

A former correctional officer at the California Institution for Men in Chino pleaded guilty to a federal perjury charge today, acknowledging that she lied to a grand jury that was investigating another guard who was suspected of helping a white prison gang.

Linda Diane Sherrow, 49, of Corona, pleaded guilty this morning to the felony count that carries a penalty of up to five years in federal prison. Sherrow pleaded guilty before United States District Judge Terry J. Hatter Jr., who scheduled a sentencing hearing for April 21.

Sherrow admitted lying to a federal grand jury that was investigating the conduct of fellow correctional officer Shayne Allyn Ziska in 2004. When asked about Ziska opening inmates' cell doors and allowing them to roam freely, Sherrow denied to the grand jury that she had ever observed this. In fact, she knew that Ziska has allowed inmates to roam freely, which directly assisted members of a white power gang to communicate with one another, pass illegal contraband and commit assaults on other.
Ziska was convicted at trial of racketeering and other charges and was sentenced to 17½ years in federal prison, see: http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/cac/pressroom/pr2006/084.html.

The investigation into Ziska and Sherrow's perjury was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.