An Arizona correctional officer has been charged with assault after slamming a handcuffed inmate into the ground.
On Monday, the Maricopa County Attorney's Office charged 23-year-old Jason Alexander Cardenas with aggravated assault.
According to court documents, on June 27, 2018, Cardenas handcuffed an inmate and escorted him from the recreational area to his cell at the Lewis Corrections Department in Buckeye.
Department of Corrections (DOC) officials say Cardenas then picked the inmate up and slammed him to the ground. The inmate's chin was cut and required three stitches.
Officials say video footage "does not show [the inmate] being aggressive when removed from the recreational area."
Cardenas had been working for DOC for about 18 months at the time of the assault, according to court documents.
Cardenas has been summoned to appear in court on December 6.
The Arizona Department of Corrections released the following statement regarding Cardenas:
ADC terminated CO II Cardenas on July 31, 2018, and referred the case to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office for criminal prosecution. Mr. Cardenas has appealed his termination to the Arizona State Personnel Board, which will hear his appeal on December 20, 2018.
