4 More Officers Charged In Beating Of Women Inmates At NJ Prison

SOMERSET, NJ — Four more correctional officers were charged with aggravated assault for their roles where women inmates were severely beaten at the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women on Jan. 12, Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal announced.

Jose Irizarry, 37, of Paterson,Courey James, 31, of East Piscataway, Gustavo Sarmiento Jr. 27, of Maywood, and Tara Wallace, 35, of Somerset, were all senior correctional officers charged with official misconduct and aggravated assault.

"I promised to hold everyone accountable who played a role in this horrific incident, at any level of the prison’s hierarchy, and we're working hard to meet that promise," said Grewal.

This brings the total up to eight corrections officers now charged. Three other correctional police officers were previously charged on Feb. 4 and one more on Feb. 23 in connection with the beatings. Read More: 3 Officers Charged After Women Inmates Beaten At NJ Prison; 4th Officer Charged After Beating Of Women Inmates At NJ Prison

"The alleged actions of the defendants during these heinous attacks on inmates were completely unconscionable — whether they inflicted harm or stood by and allowed others to do so when they had a duty to intervene," said OPIA Director Thomas Eicher. "We urge anyone with information to call 1-844-OPIA-TIPS and help us ensure that all who bear responsibility are brought to justice."

Irizarry, James, Sarmiento and Wallace were each involved in forced cell extractions between Jan. 11 and Jan. 12 where they each are alleged to have "purposely or knowingly attempted to cause serious bodily injury to inmates as an accomplice or as a principal by using force beyond what was objectively reasonable and necessary in violation of DOC policy."

The charges claim all four senior officers took part in a cell extraction on Jan. 12 at about 1:13 a.m. where a five-person suited team entered a cell of a handcuffed inmate and was struck multiple times by members of the extraction team, resulting in a fractured orbital bone.

Irizarry was also part of the team that extracted another inmate where pepper spray was deployed and the inmate was not given an opportunity to comply before the team went into her cell. During the extraction, Irizarry forcibly used his shield on the inmate, who was not resisting, and aided and abetted Correctional Police Officer Luis Garcia as Garcia punched the inmate in the head and neck area 28 times, resulting in a concussion and facial injuries, according to Grewal.

• Read More: Murphy 'Sickened' By Report Of Women Inmates Beaten At NJ Prison

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