Authorities in Arizona say two former correctional officers have resigned amid claims that they participated in a recent assault on an inmate.
According to KPHO, Alfredo Reyes and Javier Chavez are accused of playing a part in staging the scene for a brutal beating inside a Tucson prison.
Among the alleged acts investigators say helped clear the way for the beating is their decision not to initiate the facility’s Incident Command system until after they had surveyed and partially cleaned up the scene — about an hour after the attack.
Both men were taken into police custody on Thursday upon arriving at work and have subsequently resigned from their positions, the Arizona Department of Corrections confirmed.
The suspects are each expected to face criminal charges including conspiracy to commit kidnapping, conspiracy to commit dangerous or deadly assault by a prisoner, conspiracy to tamper with physical evidence, and endangerment. Additional charges could be added, said police who also noted that the investigation remains ongoing.
They are both set to appear in court again next month.
Detectives believe several inmates directly participated in the attack and later worked to get rid of evidence of their crime.
As of the latest updates available, officials say the victim of the assault remained hospitalized in critical condition.
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[Featured image: Alfredo Reyes and Javier Chavez, Pima County Jail]
