New York prison guard accused of waterboarding two inmates

Court documents filed with the Albany Supreme Court this week accuse Lt. Troy Mitchell Pictured) of shackling two inmates and pouring pales of water over their mouths

A New York prison guard is under investigation after allegations emerged that he waterboarded two inmates and savagely assaulted their genitals. 

Court documents filed with the Albany Supreme Court this week accuse Lt. Troy Mitchell of shackling two inmates and pouring pales of water over their mouths at the Auburn Correctional Facility in separate incidents stemming from last year.

The allegations leveled against Mitchell also state that he punched, grabbed, twisted and beat their testicles with a baton.   

One incident allegedly transpired on Sept. 14, 2016 against prisoner Matthew Raymond, who was injured so gravely that he is still forced to urinate with a catheter, according to his lawyer, Joan Magoolaghan.

‘Relentless in his attack, Lt. Mitchell then directed a corrections officer to spread Mr. Raymond’s legs apart, after which the lieutenant forcefully grabbed and twisted Mr. Raymond’s testicles and penis, and called him a ‘stupid little b****,” the filing says.

Mitchell did not act alone, according to civil court documents at the Albany Supreme Court, which claim he received help from fellow officers. 

Mitchell is accused of waterboarding and beating the testicles of Matthew Raymond (R). He was also accused of savagely beating inmate Dino Caroselli (L) in 2002 

Raymond also contends that he was waterboarded after returning back from the prison infirmary after a complications from a traumatic brain injury he suffered years prior flared up. 

Court papers say that Mitchell then struck Raymond in the face, neck and chest. He later punched his groin and repeatedly struck him in the area with a baton, it is claimed.

Joan Magoolaghan  (Pictured), Raymond’s lawyer, filed documents with the Albany Supreme Court earlier this week against Mitchell

Raymond said he failed to receive medical attention after the alleged incident despite telling officers he discovered blood in his urine. 

‘It was not until January 2017, after his ability to urinate ceased and he fainted from toxicity that he was finally taken to the Upstate University Hospital in Syracuse,’ the filing says.  

Mitchell, 54, was suspended without pay on Aug. 31, 2017 after another inmate leveled similar accusations against him in a separate incident. The DOCCS is currently conducting an investigation into the matter, the department said in a statement. 

Raymond’s accusations were previously investigated by the inspector general’s office for the state Department of Correctional Services.

The probe, however, deemed that that Raymond’s accusations were unfounded, The Daily News reported.  

But soon after the department concluded its investigation, the other inmate, who has not been named, came forward with nearly identical accusations, forcing the state to reexamine their findings. 

Lt. Troy Mitchell is accused of shackling two inmates and pouring pales of water over their mouths at the Auburn Correctional Facility (pictured)

Mitchell has previously cost the state nearly $1 million in legal payouts over past assault and sexual harassment allegations, according to The New York Daily News.  

In 2012, former female correctional officer Penny Collins received a $787,837 judgment against DOCCS plus $150,000 in backpay after filing a lawsuit accusing Mitchell and other officers of sexually harassing her.

‘This is one of the sickest people I’ve ever met in my entire life,’ Collins, 56, said of Mitchell in a recent interview with the Daily News.

Penny Collins (pictured) received a $787,837 judgment against DOCCS plus $150,000 in backpay after filing a lawsuit accusing Mitchell and other officers of sexually harassing her

Collins said that she was bullied and verbally abused by Mitchell, adding that she was so concerned by his behavior she wrote to a senior investigator at DOCCS’ inspector general’s office. 

‘Someone must look into Lt. Mitchell and his actions as an employee,’ she wrote. 

‘With this promotion, he now has a substantial amount of authority and I fear for the people he turns his abuse on.’ 

Collins said that after speaking with an investigator just one time, she never heard from the department again.  

‘If they would have taken it seriously 12 years ago, none of this would be an issue now,’ she said.

Mitchell has also been accused of savagely beating inmate Dino Caroselli after he accused the 54-year-old correctional officer and other prison guards of breaking both of his hands, ankle, nose and tooth during a 2002 assault. 

Caroselli, who is serving a life sentence, received a settlement of $70,000 in 2008.  

Another inmate, Richie Thomas, received a $19,800 payout in 2008 after accusing officers of assaulting him during an incident in 2002. Mitchell was named as a defendant in the case but his role in the alleged assault remains unclear, The Daily News reported.

The Department of Correctional Services said in a statement that ‘This department has zero tolerance for any behavior that jeopardizes the safety and security of our facilities and the individuals who live and work there.

‘All allegations of abuse are thoroughly investigated by our revamped Office of Special Investigations and those found to be at fault face the toughest discipline allowable under the collective bargaining agreement.’

 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk