CHESTERFIELD, N.J. (1010 WINS) -- A corrections sergeant is facing charges for pepper spraying and beating a compliant inmate at a youth correctional facility in Chesterfield, and five senior officers were charged for lying about the incident, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin announced on Friday.
Sergeant Michael Emmert, 37, was trying to remove the inmate from his cell at the Garden State Youth Facility on April 8, 2020 just after midnight when he allegedly pepper sprayed the victim without giving him an opportunity to comply — even after the victim voluntarily offered his hands to be handcuffed.
Emmert then left and came back with five other officers, at which point he again pepper sprayed the victim and beat him to the point where he was screaming in pain and bleeding from his head, according to the AG’s Office.
Emmert and the other five officers lied in order to justify the use of force. They reported that the victim refused to be handcuffed, and that he tried to kick a shield, but Platkin said his office reviewed video evidence that contradicts this account.
The charges are a result of an ongoing joint investigation by the New Jersey Department of Corrections, the Special Investigations Division and the Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability.
“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,” said Platkin.
Prosecutors charged Emmert on May 25 with aggravated assault and tampering with public records.
If found guilty, he could face up to 15 years in prison and a fine of $45,000.
The other correctional officers — Christopher Toth, Raymond Quinones, Michael Gaines, Mark Sadlowski Jr. and Michael Ambrzaitis — were each charged with tampering with public records.
They each face up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine if convicted.
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