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NJ Corrections Officer & 2 Sergeants Arrested for Civil Rights Violation
U.S. Attorney Announces Charges Against Three Correctional Staff for Alleged Assault of Detainee and Obstruction of Justice
NEWARK, N.J. – A significant development in civil rights enforcement has emerged as U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announces the arrest of a Passaic County correctional officer and two sergeants. These officials face charges related to the alleged assault of a pretrial detainee and conspiring to obstruct justice.
Sergeants Jose Gonzalez, 45, Donald Vinales, 38, and Officer Lorenzo Bowden, 39, have been charged with deprivation of rights under color of law and conspiracy to obstruct justice. Additionally, Bowden faces charges for making false statements. Their initial appearances are scheduled before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael A. Hammer in Newark federal court.
The charges stem from an incident on Jan. 22, 2021, when a pretrial detainee at the Passaic County Jail allegedly splashed a urine mixture onto a correctional officer. The following day, the sergeants and officer are accused of moving the detainee to a surveillance camera "blind spot" within the jail and assaulting him while handcuffed. The detainee was later hospitalized with injuries consistent with an assault.
In April 2022, following federal grand jury subpoenas, the accused, among others, allegedly met to discuss the federal investigation. They agreed not to cooperate and to deny the assault occurred. In a subsequent interview with federal investigators in October 2022, Bowden falsely stated that no assault had taken place and denied any meeting or communication about the incident.
The charges carry severe penalties, with the deprivation of rights under color of law punishable by up to 10 years in prison, conspiracy to obstruct justice by up to 20 years, and making false statements by up to five years.
The FBI, under Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark, and the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office Division of Internal Affairs, led by Sheriff Richard H. Berdnik, were instrumental in the investigation leading to these charges. The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Levin of the Criminal Division and the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Civil Rights Task Force in Newark.
As with all legal proceedings, the charges and allegations in the complaint are merely accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. This case highlights the ongoing efforts to uphold civil rights and the rule of law, especially within the correctional system.
