Hackettstown Man Charged In Women's Prison Beating

HACKETTSTOWN, NJ — A fourth suspended correctional officer was charged for his role in connection with the beating of women inmates at the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women on Jan. 12, Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal announced.

Sgt. Matthew D. Faschan, 33, of Hackettstown, a suspended correctional police officer, was charged Tuesday with two counts of second-degree official misconduct and one count of third-degree tampering with public records or information.

In two separate forced cell extractions between Jan. 11 and Jan. 12, Faschan allegedly did not video record the event — which is required—, tried to cover up what happened, and did not intervene to stop his fellow officers' from beating the inmates, according to the charges.

"As I stated earlier this month, we will follow the evidence in this case wherever it leads and we will not rest until all of those responsible for these brutal attacks — at any level of the prison’s hierarchy — are held accountable," said Grewal. "That includes all those involved in planning and covering up these horrific acts."

In one of the incidents just after 1 a.m. on Jan. 12, a video shows one of the inmates in her cell throw an unknown white liquid out of her cell into the hallway before a team of correctional officers, including Faschan came to extract her from her cell, said Grewal.

Faschan was assigned to record the extraction and can be seen holding a video camera, however, no video was recorded, according to Grewal.

During the extraction, the inmate put her hands through the food port of her cell door to be handcuffed. After she was handcuffed, the inmate begged officers not to harm her before they went into her cell and one or more corrections officers repeatedly struck her with their fists, said Grewal.

"Despite being responsible for recording the extraction and possessing a video camera, it is alleged that Sgt. Faschan purposely did not record the extraction, in violation of clearly established DOC policies," according to the charges.

Faschan also later submitted a report in which he allegedly falsely claimed that he filmed the inmate inflicting injuries upon herself, even though no such video exists, said Grewal.

Faschan was also assigned to film the extraction of another inmate where officers pepper-sprayed her without giving her time to comply. Faschan also did not intervene when his fellow officers hit the inmate with a closed fist about 28 times, said Grewal.

"Despite his role as a recording sergeant of the extraction team, his presence in Victim 2’s cell, and his observation of the extraction, it is also alleged that Sgt. Faschan failed to report the unauthorized use of force against an inmate, who was not resisting, also in violation of clearly established DOC polices," according to the charges.

Three other correctional police officers were also previously charged on Feb. 4 in connection with the beatings. Read More: 3 Officers Charged After Women Inmates Beaten At NJ Prison

Correctional Police Officer Luis (aka Lisandro) A. Garcia, 23, of Nutley was involved in forcing the women inmates out of their cells while two supervisors Sgt. Amir E. Bethea, 35, of Springfield, and Sgt. Anthony J. Valvano, 38, of Bound Brook watched and did not intervene, said Grewal.

"Despite officers filing false reports and failing to properly videotape all of the cell extractions that took place, as required by Department of Corrections policies, we will not be deterred from identifying all of those responsible for these assaults," said OPIA Director Thomas Eicher. "We urge anyone with information to call us at 1-844-OPIA-TIPS."

The post was reported on by Alexis Tarrazi.

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