BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Matthew Jaskula, a cell block attendant accused of injuring a man in police custody and violating his civil rights, made his first appearance Friday before a federal judge.
Jaskula, 26, is charged with deprivation of rights under color of law. It stems from an incident that allegedly happened on the same day, May 19, that Jaskula got a promotion to senior cell block attendant.
A man arrested by police was taken to the cell block part of police headquarters. He was escorted to the fingerprint and mugshot rooom with his hands cuffed behind him.
That's where the complaint alleges Jaskula shoved the man face-first into a door, causing him to fall to the ground. The man's face then struck the ledge of a shelf, then the floor.
It's claimed Jaskula then grabbed the limp, unresponsive man by his handcuffs to a cell, where he began bleeding profusely.
Prosecutors say Jaskula and someone else later put the man into a restraint chair and left him there for nearly two hours.
The man ended up being treated at a Buffalo hospital.
Jaskula was released on $5,000 signature bond. His attorney waived his right to a preliminary hearing. He's due back in court in August.