Syracuse, N.Y. (AP) — A former upstate New York jail official who was caught on video assaulting an inmate cuffed to a bench has been indicted in federal court.
U.S. Attorney Richard Hartunian says that David Monell, who was a lieutenant at the Tioga County Jail, is accused of depriving inmate David Coffey of his civil rights during the June 21, 2010 attack.
Monell is shown on video punching Coffey and pushing him against a wall. Coffey suffered scrapes, a swollen jaw and vision problems. The video was obtained by the Binghamton Press and Sun-Bulletin after the county settled a lawsuit by Coffey for $62,000.
Monell resigned two days after the beating and a day after being honored as the state Senate "2010 Corrections Officer of the Year."
He pleaded not guilty Monday in Syracuse.
(Copyright Associated Press 2012 all rights reserved)
