Three officers in New Jersey’s only women’s prison have been charged with official misconduct and other crimes after female inmates said they were severely beaten by staff last month, the attorney general’s office announced Thursday.
As the investigation continues, there could be more charges against other officers, Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said during a virtual press conference.
At least six women in the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility have said they were injured on January 11, a higher number than previously reported, according to Grewal, interviewing two inmates and relatives of three others.
“They were not treated with the dignity and respect they deserve,” said Grewal. “In fact they have been physically and violently attacked.”
A woman in Hunterdon County Jail told NJ Advance Media that she had been sexually assaulted by an officer, and others reported being beaten so badly that one said she had a broken eye socket and cheekbone, while another told her mother that she was diagnosed with a concussion. and had bruises all over her body.
Grewal said their investigation was hampered by agents who lied and “tried to cover it up by submitting false reports about the incident, downplaying the seriousness of the incident, and failing to document the true nature of the officer’s actions that evening.” “
Two indicted persons were supervisors.
Sgt. Amir E. Bethea, 35, of Springfield is facing two charges of second-degree official misconduct and two charges of third-degree public records tampering.
It wasn’t immediately clear if Bethea has a lawyer, and two numbers quoted for him didn’t work.
Sgt. Anthony J. Valvano, 38, of Bound Brook, was charged with second-degree official misconduct and third-degree tampering with public records.
Messages left on two numbers listed for Valvano were not immediately returned. A man picked up on one of the songs, but the call was immediately disconnected after a NJ Advance Media reporter identified himself.
If you are convicted, a charge of misconduct alone means a minimum of five years in prison.
Officer Luis A. Garcia, 23, of Nutley, was also charged with second-degree aggravated assault, second-degree official misconduct and third-degree tampering with public records, Grewal’s office said.
Garcia’s attorney, Robert Cannan, said his client “adamantly denies these allegations.”
“He will plead not guilty and ultimately looks forward to fully justifying and restoring his wage status and career,” said Cannan.
The allegations have prompted lawmakers to demand that Commissioner Marcus Hicks lose his job.
Gov. Phil Murphy has so far assisted the prison leader, but has ordered an independent investigation into the incident.
“The investigation findings and recommendations will be made public,” Gov. Jerrel Harvey spokesman wrote in an email.
In a statement after the allegations were announced, Murphy thanked the attorney general for “swift action and filing criminal charges in the aftermath of the horrific incident at Edna Mahan.”
“Any abuse of power is repugnant and violates public confidence, and can never be tolerated or excused,” said Murphy.
The prison commissioner has said he “fully supports” the independent investigation.
The department has “zero tolerance for anyone who defies our mission to operate safe and humane facilities,” Hicks wrote to staff Jan. 29 in a memo obtained by NJ Advance Media. “Let me be clear when I say, my administration has ushered in a new dawn at NJDOC.”
Hicks suspended the staff and started the criminal investigation days after the alleged assault, a spokeswoman said.
The highest-ranking person placed on leave so far is Associate Administrator Sean St. Paul, who has been indicted at least three times in recent years by inmates who said he attacked them or was unable to stop violent officers.
According to William Sullivan, president of PBA Local 105, the state’s largest correctional union, a total of 32 Edna Mahan employees were given paid administrative leave after the incident.
That includes two additional suspensions on Jan. 27, he said, after dozens were initially removed on Jan.15. Half are men and half are women, Sullivan added.
According to the union, there are a total of about 330 officers, not counting supervisors, who guard nearly 400 women in prison.
This story is being updated.
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