Four current and former correctional staff members at the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility in Philadelphia have been charged following an alleged assault on a pretrial detainee and an attempt to cover up the incident, according to an announcement by United States Attorney David Metcalf.
Jahaan Andrews, 34, Oneil Murray, 31, and Mumin Hart, 43, all employed as correctional officers at the facility, along with Georgia Malloy, 58, a former lieutenant and their supervisor at the Philadelphia Department of Prisons, were indicted for conspiracy and other related offenses.
According to the indictment, on October 6, 2020, Andrews detained a pretrial detainee identified as Inmate 1 for wearing the wrong color jumpsuit. The officers—Andrews, Murray, Hart—along with another officer previously charged and an additional officer—removed Inmate 1 from a holding room to his cell for a strip search and uniform change.
The indictment states that once inside the cell, Andrews, Murray, Hart and another officer assaulted Inmate 1 by punching and kicking him multiple times. The inmate was hospitalized due to injuries to his face, ribs and scrotum that required emergency surgery.
Correctional officers are required to complete reports about any use of force against inmates before their shifts end. The indictment alleges that between October 6 and October 31 of that year, all four defendants conspired to falsify records with intent to impede or obstruct an FBI investigation. It is alleged they exaggerated Inmate 1’s aggressiveness in official reports while minimizing details about their own use of force in order to avoid scrutiny from supervisors. Reports also allegedly contained false statements regarding another officer’s involvement in using force during the incident.
All four defendants face conspiracy charges. Additionally:
– Andrews is charged with two counts each of deprivation of rights under color of law and falsification of records as well as making a false statement to the FBI.
– Murray faces two counts each of deprivation of rights under color of law and falsification of records.
– Hart faces two counts of deprivation of rights under color of law and one count of falsification.
– Malloy is charged with two counts of falsification.
If convicted on all charges: Andrews could face up to 70 years in prison; Murray up to 65 years; Hart and Malloy up to 45 years each.
The case was investigated by the FBI with assistance from the Philadelphia Department of Prisons. Prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Everett Witherell and Michael Miller.
“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.”
