Six NJ Correctional Officers Indicted for 2020 Assault on Inmate at Chesterfield Facility

Officers face charges of official misconduct, aggravated assault, and filing false reports following a forced cell extraction incident.

CHESTERFIELD, N.J. — Six correctional officers, including a sergeant and five senior officers, from New Jersey’s Garden State Youth Correctional Facility have been indicted by a state grand jury on charges related to the 2020 assault of an inmate. Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) announced the charges, which stem from an incident involving excessive force and alleged cover-up efforts through falsified reports.

“As alleged, the defendants filed false reports to cover up an assault of an inmate by a correctional officer,” said OPIA Executive Director Drew Skinner. “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 defendants—Sgt. Michael Emmert, 40, and Senior Corrections Officers Christopher Toth, 40; Mark Sadlowski, Jr., 46; Raymond Quinones, 50; Michael Gaines, 58; and Michael Ambrozaitis, 60—are accused of participating in a forced cell extraction on April 8, 2020, in which the inmate was allegedly pepper-sprayed and forcibly removed without being given a lawful opportunity to comply. Emmert allegedly initiated the incident by using pepper spray on the inmate without an order or opportunity to comply. Despite the inmate offering his hands for handcuffing, Emmert allegedly applied pepper spray a second time before the extraction team entered and used force to remove him.

Following the incident, all six officers allegedly submitted false reports indicating the inmate was given a chance to comply and resisted prior to the use of force. Toth faces an additional charge for failing to intervene or report the alleged excessive force used by Emmert.

“New Jersey correctional officers work under trying circumstances and do essential work in the criminal justice system and in maintaining public safety,” said Attorney General Platkin. “The alleged conduct of the officers indicted in this case does a discredit to every correctional officer who performs their duties with integrity. The mistreatment of young adults in the State’s care will not be tolerated and no one is above the law.”

Charges for the six defendants include second-degree official misconduct, third-degree tampering with public records, and fourth-degree falsifying records. Emmert and Toth additionally face third-degree aggravated assault charges. If convicted, the officers face prison sentences ranging from 18 months to 10 years, along with fines.

This investigation was led by OPIA’s Corruption Bureau and the Department of Corrections’ Special Investigations Division. The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Adam Gerken under OPIA supervision. All defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.