Former CO Admits Assaulting Inmate, Obstructing Investigation

STORMVILLE, NY — A former correction officer admitted that he assaulted an inmate.

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced Thursday that Taj Everly, 39, of Cortlandt Manor, pleaded guilty to a deprivation of constitutional rights under color of law.

Prosecutors said, on May 28, 2020, Everly, then a correction officer at Green Haven Correctional Facility in Stormville assaulted an inmate in the custody of the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, striking and tackling him without provocation.

Everly then tried to obstruct the investigation of his assault by preparing a false report.

His actions deprived the incarcerated man of his constitutional right to be free from excessive force amounting to cruel and unusual punishment, according to prosecutors.

Williams said the protections afforded by the U.S. Constitution extend to all Americans, including those who are serving time in prison.

“When individuals in power abuse their authority to injure the powerless,” he said, “we will act aggressively to ensure justice is served.”

According to the indictment and statements made in court, Everly was a correction officer at Green Haven.

On May 28, 2020, while he was on duty, he assaulted a prisoner without provocation, striking the man with a closed fist and then tackling him to the ground.

After the assault, Everly falsified a report about the incident, identifying the inmate as the aggressor, thereby obstructing the investigation into the unjustified use of force.

The charge of deprivation of constitutional rights under color of law carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.