Two Montgomery County corrections officers face criminal charges after an inmate at the county jail claimed he was abused more than 20 times over a four month period. Time Warner Cable News' Matt Hunter has details on this case.
On behalf of his client, former Montgomery County Jail inmate Ryan Cook, attorney Elmer Keach filed a notice of claim late last month seeking damages from Montgomery County.
"This was the actions of several individuals working in concert or individuals who were willing to turn a blind eye to the willful abuse of an inmate," Keach said.
Outlining what's referred to in the legal document as "cruel and unusual punishment," Keach claims on at least 20 occasions between July and October, Cook was either punched, slapped, kicked, choked or in one instance, shocked with a Taser, by 27-year-old corrections officer Kevin Abrams. Finally, on October 9 and 10, the 23-year-old Cook claims was choked so severely by Abrams that it caused bruises to his neck.
"I saw his neck was all swollen and bruised from having a man who's 310 pounds, 5-foot-10, pick him up and strangle him," Keach said.
The claim also states Abrams often had help from other corrections officers and inmates, with Cook believing he was an easy target due to his mental disability.
"He had definitely been upset because his father died when he was in custody and yeah, you know, he's an easy target," Keach said.
In a Monday morning written statement, Montgomery County Sheriff Michael Amato confirmed his office is investigating the allegations and that Abrams and fellow officer Richard Pelosi have been arrested, while four others face disciplinary action. Neither the sheriff, district attorney or county executive would provide additional comment.
"The fact these gentleman thought they could do this and do it with impunity is very upsetting," Keach said.
Last week in the Town of Glen Court, Abrams pleaded not guilty to charges of official misconduct, second degree harassment and obstruction of breathing or blood circulation. Pelosi, who's accused of witnessing but not preventing or reporting the alleged act, pleaded not guilty to official misconduct.
"They are going to have to compensate this man for what these officers did," Keach said, "and that has to come right from the taxpayers."
Keach says Cook was serving time for a minor drug charge but did not know the exact count.
Abrams and Pelosi are both due to re-appear in Glen Town Court in January. TWC News reached out to both of their attorneys for comment, but did not hear back Monday.