3 ex-Hawaii correctional officers convicted of brutally attacking inmate, cover-up

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – Three former Hawaii correctional officers have been convicted of civil rights crimes after brutally attacking an inmate after which making an attempt to cowl it up.

A federal jury handed down the conviction Friday for Hawaii Neighborhood Correctional officers Jason Tagaloa, Craig Pinkney and Jonathan Taum. A fourth officer, Jordan DeMattos, beforehand pleaded responsible and testified within the trial.

An FBI investigation discovered the officers assaulted the inmate within the jail’s recreation yard.

The trial uncovered particulars about how the inmate was assaulted, saying he was punched and left mendacity in his personal blood — all inside two minutes. Officers mentioned the inmate suffered a damaged nostril, jaw and eye socket.

Proof from the trial additionally revealed that the officers then wrote false stories concerning the incident.

It states that the officers “met to get their tales straight and brainstorm false excuses they might give for having used drive,” in response to a information launch from the U.S. Division of Justice.

The Hawaii Division of Public Security fired all 4 officers.

In an announcement, Public Security Director mentioned:

“Justice has been served as these concerned have been held accountable. The division is not going to tolerate such a habits from any worker.”

The officers resist 20 years behind bars for the offenses.

“The FBI will at all times examine when an individual’s civil rights are violated,” mentioned Honolulu FBI Particular Agent in Cost Steven Merrill. “As correctional officers, they have been held to upholding the requirements of legislation enforcement officers throughout the state prisons and they didn’t accomplish that on this case.”

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