15th corrections officer indicted for inmate assaults at Edna Mahan Correctional Facility
Sergeant Matthew Faschan, 35, of Hackesttstown, is the 15th corrections officer indicted for attacks at Edna Mahan Correctional Facility.
More Stories
Another corrections officer has been indicted for inmate assaults at Edna Mahan Correctional Facility related to accusations that took place nearly three years ago.
Sergeant Matthew Faschan, 35, of Hackesttstown, is the 15th corrections officer indicted. He now faces charges of conspiracy, misconduct tampering with public records and aggravated assault, the state Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability announced Monday.
Investigators say Faschan was assigned to take videos of forced cell extractions but purposely didn't record certain incidents.
Allegations against Faschan also include:
Failed to intervene, prevent or report fellow officers' improper use of force.
And filed a false report about one of the victim's injuries.
Officials say the incidents allegedly happened during the overnight hours between Jan. 11 and Jan. 12, 2021, at the facility in Union Township amid escalating tensions after several incidents of inmates squirting unknown liquids through their cell doors, in some cases striking officers.
The incident follows years of complaints from inmates about sexual and physical abuse.
MORE: Gov. Murphy closes part of state's only women's prison amid reports of misconduct
The 15 indicted officers, who have all been suspended without pay, include four sergeants, one lieutenant, one major and an associate administrator.
The 14 others indicted are:
Sean St. Paul, 57, of Newark
Ryan Valentin, 46, of Bloomfield
Eddie Molina, 45, of East Brunswick
Amir E. Bethea, 38, of Springfield
Andraia Bridges, 46, of North Plainfield
Anthony J. Valvano, 41, of Bound Brook
Brandon Burgos, 24, of Roseland
Luis A. Garcia, 26, of Nutley
Courey James, 34, of East Piscataway
Jose Irizarry, 39, of Paterson
Desiree Lewis, 34, of Elizabeth
Gustavo Sarmiento, 30, of Maywood
Marika Sprow, 34, of West Orange
Tara Wallace, 38, of Somerset
All of the defendants were indicted on one count of conspiracy and two counts of official misconduct. Certain defendants were also charged with tampering with public records, aggravated assault and additional counts of official misconduct.
