Three corrections officers from Ocean County charged in use of force case at youth prison
CHESTERFIELD – Three corrections officers from Ocean County have been charged in a use of force case at a state juvenile prison, Acting Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said.
Correctional police Sgt. Michael Emmert, 37, of Toms River, senior correction police officer Christopher Toth, 37, of Plumsted and senior correction police officer Raymond Quinones, 43, of Beachwood, were charged in the alleged forced cell extraction of an inmate on April 8 at Garden State Youth Correctional Facility, Platkin said.
Also charged were senior correction police officers Michael Gaines, 56, of Willingboro, Mark Sadlowski, Jr., 44, of Sewell and Michael Ambrozaitis, 58, of Southampton, officials said.
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The arrests of the six defendants were the result of an investigation by the Department of Corrections Special Investigations Division and the Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability.
The six corrections officers allegedly took part in the forced extraction of a juvenile inmate about 12:05 a.m. on April 8 and filed false reports intended to deceive the Department of Corrections (DOC) into thinking the incident was justified, according to officials.
Emmert allegedly sprayed the victim with Oleoresin Capsicum spray and did not give him the opportunity to comply, even though he offered to be handcuffed, according to the Attorney General’s Office.
The other five officers then allegedly re-approached the cell as Emmert sprayed the victim a second time without giving him an opportunity to comply, authorities said. The five officers then entered the cell and allegedly removed the victim, officials said.
“Correctional police officers are entrusted with great authority over the inmates in their custody, and when they abuse that power, they must be held accountable,” Platkin said. “I want to thank the Office of Public Integrity & Accountability and Department of Corrections Special Investigations Division for investigating and bringing charges in this matter.”
DOC policy permits use of force that is objectively necessary and reasonable and requires that an inmate be given an opportunity to comply before a forced cell extraction takes place, according to the Attorney General’s Office.
The victim screamed in pain and was covered in blood after being removed from his cell, according to the Attorney General’s Office.
He was given an oxygen inhaler and treated for lacerations to his face at the facility’s hospital, officials said.
In their special custody reports, the defendants allegedly said that the victim refused to comply with requests to be handcuffed, according to officials.
Emmert and Toth allegedly included false reports of the victim attempting to strike them, authorities said.
Emmert faces two counts of third-degree aggravated assault and one count of third-degree tampering with public records or information, according to the Attorney General's Office.
The other five officers are all charged with third-degree tampering with public records or information, authorities said.
Nicolas Fernandes is the early morning breaking news reporter. A lifelong New Jersey resident, he has previously worked as a features writer and sports reporter. Contact him at 732-540-4401 or nfernandes@gannettnj.com
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: NJ police misconduct: Ocean County officers charged in use of force
