Former NY corrections officer charged with using excessive force against inmate

“Unfair and illegal abuses to those serving their debt to society cannot and will not be tolerated by this Office.”

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Accused of repeatedly striking the head and body of a restrained inmate, a former New York corrections officer was arrested Thursday and charged with one count of deprivation of civil rights under color of law.

On March 19, 2020, Green Haven Correctional Officer Aaron Finn allegedly struck a restrained inmate multiple times in the head and torso without legal justification. According to the indictment, the unidentified inmate suffered bodily injury due to the assault.

On Thursday morning, Finn was arrested and charged with violating the inmate’s civil rights by using excessive force against him. If convicted, Finn could face a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison.

“Correction officer Aaron Finn allegedly assaulted an inmate whom he was sworn not only to guard—but also to protect,” U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said in a recent press release. “The manner in which a country treats its incarcerated is indicative of its values, and today’s indictment underscores that incarceration should not result in undue loss of human dignity. Unfair and illegal abuses to those serving their debt to society cannot and will not be tolerated by this Office.”

“Those charged with maintaining a stable environment within the prison system are not exempt from facing charges themselves if their conduct crosses constitutional lines,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Michael Driscoll on Thursday. “Today, we allege Finn did just that when he applied excessive force against an inmate. Allegations of this type will always be investigated and never be tolerated.”

“The Department is overwhelmingly comprised of dedicated, professional staff who take their jobs seriously and carry out their duties in a professional manner, and those few who choose to violate their oath of office, are not welcome among our ranks,” asserted Anthony Annucci, Acting Commissioner of the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS). “The message here is loud and clear: criminal behavior will not be tolerated and those who break the law will be held accountable and prosecuted.”

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