Former Hawaii Corrections Officers Indicted For Assault Of Inmate

The defendants are expected to appear before a federal judge Wednesday.
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A federal grand jury earlier this month indicted three former Hawaii corrections officers who allegedly beat an inmate then tried to cover it up.

The indictment alleges six counts of deprivation of rights, conspiracy to obstruct justice and obstruction by a false report against Jason Tagaloa, Craig Pinkney and Jonathan Taum. 

Razor wire lines the exterior of the Womens Community Correctional Center. WCCC
Three former corrections officers were indicted for allegedly beating an inmate. Cory Lum/Civil Beat/2017

The indictment came June 10, but was only unsealed by U.S. Attorney Kenji Price on Tuesday.

The indictment alleges that the three defendants, as well as a fourth unidentified officer, assaulted an inmate at the Hawaii Community Correctional Center in 2015. It also alleges that they submitted misleading incident and use-of-force reports.

An indictment is a first step in the court process, in which charges are formally brought against defendants. An arraignment hearing, where the three defendants will hear the charges brought against them and have an opportunity to enter a plea, is scheduled for Wednesday morning before Judge Kenneth Mansfield.

Because of restrictions due to the coronavirus, the hearing is expected to be held over telephone.

The FBI investigated the case, according to a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice, which is prosecuting the case.

Read the indictment below.



TAGALOA Et Al Indictment (Text)

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