Four individuals, including three correctional officers and their former supervisor, have been indicted in Philadelphia on charges related to the violation of an inmate’s constitutional rights and subsequent efforts to conceal the incident. The announcement was made by United States Attorney David Metcalf.
Jahaan Andrews, Oneil Murray, and Mumin Hart, all correctional officers at Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility (CFCF), along with Georgia Malloy, a lieutenant with the Philadelphia Department of Prisons and their supervisor, were arrested following a federal indictment. The indictment stems from an incident on October 6, 2020.
According to the indictment, Andrews detained a pretrial detainee referred to as Inmate 1 for wearing the wrong color jumpsuit. Andrews, Murray, Hart, another officer charged separately (Ronald Granville), and an additional officer escorted Inmate 1 to his cell for a strip search and uniform change. Once inside the cell, it is alleged that several officers ordered Inmate 1 to undress before physically assaulting him. The assault reportedly resulted in injuries requiring hospitalization and emergency surgery.
Correctional officers are required by policy to complete reports detailing any use of force against inmates before their shift ends. The indictment alleges that between October 6 and October 31, 2020, the four defendants conspired with Granville to falsify records in order to obstruct an FBI investigation into the matter.
The indictment further states: "As alleged, Andrews, Murray, and Hart wrote their use of force reports about the October 6 incident, and Malloy her investigation report, so that they exaggerated the aggressiveness of Inmate 1 and disclosed as little of the true nature of the force the C.O.s used against him as they believed was necessary, to avoid scrutiny of their conduct by their superior officers and others. The reports also falsely claimed that Granville did not use force in the October 6, 2020 incident."
All four defendants face conspiracy charges. Additional charges include deprivation of rights under color of law for Andrews (two counts), Murray (two counts), and Hart (two counts). Falsification of records charges apply to all four defendants; Andrews is also charged with making a false statement to the FBI.
If convicted on all counts, maximum possible sentences range from 45 years for Hart and Malloy up to 70 years for Andrews.
The FBI led the investigation with support from the Philadelphia Department of Prisons. Assistant United States Attorneys Everett Witherell and Michael Miller are prosecuting.
"The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty in court."
