6 former guards assaulted inmates at Montgomery Co. Correctional Facility, D.A. says

Friday, May 12, 2017

6 former guards charged in Montco: Rick Williams reports during Action News at noon on May 12, 2017.

NORRISTOWN, Pa. (WPVI) -- Authorities have announced assault charges against six former correctional officers at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility in Eagleville, Pa.

The six guards, none of whom still work at the facility, are charged with aggravated and simple assault, conspiracy and other offenses in connection with the beatings of two inmates.

The assaults happened on Valentine's Day, February 14, 2017.

Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele said one of the inmates, Derrick Houlihan, was beaten by six guards in his cell, taken to the prison's medical facility for treatment, then beaten again.

6 former prison guards charged: Rick Williams reports during Action News at 12:30pm on May 12, 2017.

Video surveillance cameras showed that Houlihan, who wears a prosthetic leg, never fought back, Steele said.

The other inmate, Matthew Ruffings, was punched repeatedly in the face by several guards while in his cell.

Three of the guards were wearing body cameras, Steele said, but did not activate them or later destroyed the video captured by them.

The former correctional officers charged are: Edwin Negron, formerly a captain; Darin Collins, formerly a lieutenant; and former correctional officers Alfred Gregory, Jr., Anthony Saxby, Randall Sims and Jason Marshall.

All six were arrested and arraigned Friday morning.

All have been released on bail, which was set at $50,000 each.

A seventh guard was fired in the wake of the same incidents, Steele said, but he has not been charged.