A state grand jury has charged six correctional police officers with assault in connection with an attack four years ago on an inmate at the state Department of Corrections Garden State Youth Correctional Facility in Burlington County, according to Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin.
A state grand jury returned a seven-count indictment charging the six defendants – a sergeant and five senior corrections officers – with the alleged pepper spraying and forceful removal of the inmate in April of 2020 from a cell at the Chesterfield facility, as well as allegedly filing false reports on the incident to claim force was justified, according to a press release from Platkin’s office.
The following were charged:
• Sgt. Michael Emmert, 40, of Toms River
• Senior Corrections Officer Christopher Toth, 40, of New Egypt
• Senior Corrections Officer Mark Sadlowski, Jr., 46, of Sewell
• Senior Corrections Officer Raymond Quinones, 50, of Beachwood
• Senior Corrections Officer Michael Gaines, 58, of Willingboro
• Senior Corrections Officer Michael Ambrozaitis, 60, of Southampton
“The defendants were previously charged by complaint-summons in May of 2022,” the press release states. “State corrections policy permits only use of force that is objectively necessary and reasonable, and the policy requires that an inmate be given a loud, clear order to comply …”
It is alleged that the six officers gave the victim neither an order to comply nor a chance to do so by exiting the cell peacefully, despite offering to be handcuffed. Emmert initially attacked the inmate with pepper spray, it is alleged, and the remaining officers approached his cell. Emmert allegedly sprayed the man again before the rest of the defendants forcefully removed him.
According to the complaint, the victim screamed in pain and had to be treated medically with an inhaler and oxygen. The defendants then allegedly falsified one or more reports claiming the victim did receive an order to comply and was given the opportunity to do so. They also claimed he was initially resistant.
Toth was additionally charged for allegedly witnessing the excessive force and failing to intervene, report, or take appropriate action. All of the defendants have been indicted on charges of official misconduct, tampering with public records and falsifying or tampering with records. Both Emmert and Toth also face l charges of aggravated assault.
