Six Former Correctional Officers at the North Branch Correctional Institution Charged with Assault

BALTIMORE, MD (February 27, 2009) - Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler announced today that six former correctional officers at the North Branch Correctional Institution in Cumberland have been charged by criminal information in Allegany County with one count each of second degree assault, and one count each of conspiracy to commit an assault for allegedly assaulting inmates at the facility in March 2008.

Second degree assault is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment and/or a $2,500 fine. A criminal information is an accusation and an individual is presumed innocent unless the State proves him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

This case is being prosecuted by Attorney General Gansler’s Criminal Division. The Maryland State Police and the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services’ Internal Investigative Unit assisted in the investigation.

Charges Filed Against:

Jason Weaver, 35; Kenneth Platter, 36; Richard Robinson, 36; Tony Nery, 42; Sherman Jones, 39; and Ryan Dolan, 28