Four current and former employees of the Philadelphia Department of Prisons have been charged following an indictment related to the alleged violation of an inmate’s constitutional rights at Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility (CFCF). The announcement was made by United States Attorney David Metcalf.
The individuals charged include correctional officers Jahaan Andrews, 34, Oneil Murray, 31, and Mumin Hart, 43. Georgia Malloy, 58, a lieutenant and their supervisor at CFCF, was also named in the indictment. All are residents of Philadelphia.
According to the indictment, on October 6, 2020, Andrews detained a pretrial detainee referred to as Inmate 1 for wearing the wrong color jumpsuit. Andrews, along with Murray, Hart, another officer identified as Ronald Granville (charged elsewhere), and another correctional officer removed Inmate 1 from a holding room to his cell for a strip search and change of clothing.
Once inside the cell, it is alleged that Andrews, Murray, Hart, and Granville ordered Inmate 1 to undress before physically assaulting him by punching and kicking him multiple times. The incident resulted in injuries requiring hospitalization for Inmate 1. He suffered facial injuries as well as trauma to his ribs and scrotum that required emergency surgery.
Following any use of force against an inmate at PDP facilities such as CFCF, officers involved or witnessing the incident are required to file reports detailing what occurred before their shift ends.
The indictment states that between October 6 and October 31 of that year, the four defendants conspired with Granville to falsify records in order to hinder an FBI investigation into the matter. Reports submitted by Andrews, Murray, Hart regarding their use of force—and Malloy’s investigative report—were allegedly written so as to exaggerate Inmate 1’s aggressiveness while minimizing details about the officers’ actions. These reports also falsely claimed that Granville did not participate in using force during the incident.
All four defendants face conspiracy charges. Additionally:
– Andrews faces two counts each of deprivation of rights under color of law and falsification of records; he is also charged with making a false statement to federal investigators.
– Murray faces two counts each for deprivation of rights under color of law and falsification of records.
– Hart is charged with two counts related to deprivation of rights under color of law and one count for falsification.
– Malloy faces two counts related to falsification.
If convicted on all charges: Andrews could receive up to 70 years in prison; Murray up to 65 years; Hart and Malloy each face up to 45 years incarceration.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation led this case with significant assistance from local prison officials. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Everett Witherell and Michael Miller are prosecuting.
“The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations. Every defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty in court,” according to prosecutors.
