6 NJ Prison Officers Indicted For Assault Of Inmate, Cover-Up

CHESTERFIELD, NJ — Six state-prison officers were indicted for the 2020 assault of an inmate and the ensuing cover-up, officials said Wednesday.

A state grand jury returned a seven-count indictment for the officers accused of pepper-spraying the victim and dragging him out of his cell at Garden State Youth Correctional Facility in Burlington County. The officers were first charged in 2022.

The suspects include Sgt. Michael Emmert and five senior corrections officers:

• Christopher Toth, 40, of New Egypt
• Mark Sadlowski, Jr., 46, of Sewell
• Raymond Quinones, 50, of Beachwood
• Michael Gaines, 58, of Willingboro
• Michael Ambrozaitis, 60, of Southampton

In April 2020, Emmert pepper-sprayed the victim, who extended his hands to be cuffed and never received orders to exit his cell, according to the NJ Office of the Attorney General (OAG). The five other defendants then forcefully removed the victim from the cell, authorities said.

The victim screamed in pain and had to be given an inhaler and oxygen in the infirmary, the OAG said.

State policy requires corrections officers to provide loud, clear orders to inmates. They cannot deploy pepper spray or forcibly remove anyone from their cell until the inmate has been given the opportunity to peacefully follow the orders.

After the assault, the defendants falsified reports and lied that the victim received orders and the opportunity to comply, the OAG said.

They have all been charged with second-degree official misconduct, third-degree tampering with public records, and fourth-degree falsifying or tampering with records.

Emmert, 40, of Toms River, and Toth were also charged with third-degree aggravated assault, while Toth was additionally charged for witnessing the excessive force and failing to intervene or take appropriate actions.

The suspects' employment statuses weren't immediately clear. Patch contacted officials and will update when more information becomes available.

Garden State Youth Correctional Facility is a state prison in Chesterfield for adults in their teens and 20s.