TRENTON, NJ – Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) have announced that a state grand jury has indicted six correctional police officers in connection with the assault of an inmate at the Garden State Youth Correctional Facility in Burlington County.
The grand jury returned a seven-count indictment against the defendants, which include a sergeant and five senior corrections officers, following an incident that occurred on April 8, 2020. The charges stem from allegations of the officers using pepper spray and forcefully removing an inmate from a cell, as well as filing false reports about the incident.
“New Jersey correctional officers work under trying circumstances and perform essential duties in the criminal justice system,” Attorney General Platkin stated. “However, the alleged conduct of the officers in this case undermines the integrity of those who carry out their responsibilities honestly. The mistreatment of young adults in state care will not be tolerated.”
OPIA Executive Director Drew Skinner emphasized the seriousness of the charges, stating, “These charges demonstrate that those who abuse individuals under the protection of the State and those who cover up such abuse will face serious consequences.”
The indictment was the result of an investigation conducted by OPIA’s Corruption Bureau and the Department of Corrections’ Special Investigations Division.
The officers charged are:
- Sgt. Michael Emmert, 40, of Toms River
- Senior Corrections Officer Christopher Toth, 40, of New Egypt
- Senior Corrections Officer Mark Sadlowski, Jr., 46, of Sewell
- Senior Corrections Officer Raymond Quinones, 50, of Beachwood
- Senior Corrections Officer Michael Gaines, 58, of Willingboro
- Senior Corrections Officer Michael Ambrozaitis, 60, of Southampton
These defendants were previously charged by complaint-summons on May 25, 2022.
According to court documents, the officers participated in a forced cell extraction without first issuing a compliance order to the inmate, who was allegedly sprayed with pepper spray despite attempting to comply. The indictment states that the inmate was later treated for respiratory distress.
The defendants face multiple charges, including:
- Official misconduct (2nd degree)
- Tampering with public records (3rd degree)
- Falsifying or tampering with records (4th degree)
Sgt. Emmert and Officer Toth also face an additional charge of aggravated assault (3rd degree).
Penalties for the charges include potential prison sentences ranging from 18 months to 10 years, depending on the degree of the offense. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The prosecution will be led by Deputy Attorney General Adam Gerken, under the supervision of senior officials within the OPIA.
