Former Prison CO Lies About Inmate Assault: Feds

STORMVILLE, NY — A former correction officer was accused of falsifying records about an assault of an inmate at a prison in Dutchess County.

Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, said Taj Everly, a former correction officer at Green Haven Correctional Facility, was arrested and charged Thursday in White Plains federal court with falsifying records in connection with a federal investigation about a May 28, 2020, assault of an inmate at Green Haven.

Williams said that Everly, 32, of Cortlandt Manor, abused his position as a correction officer by assaulting an inmate and then lying about his actions in an incident report.

“This office has no tolerance for correction officers like Everly who, as alleged, commit acts of violence against inmates in their care and custody and then lie to cover their tracks,” he said.

According to prosecutors, on May 28, 2020, Everly, who was then a correction officer at Green Haven in Stormville, assaulted an inmate in the care and custody of the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision.

As the inmate left a room at Green Haven, Everly approached and punched him without provocation, authorities said. The assault caused both men to fall to the ground.

After the assault, prosecutors said Everly prepared an incident report, in which he falsely stated the inmate punched him first and Everly responded with force.

The charge Everly is facing carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.