Complaint: Corrections officer says he 'lost control," repeatedly punched inmate
Rashed Farrakhan, 43, faces more than seven years in prison if convicted of two felony charges
Rashed Farrakhan, 43, faces more than seven years in prison if convicted of two felony charges
A Milwaukee County Jail correctional officer "lost control" and repeatedly punched an inmate who was laughing at him, a criminal complaint filed Wednesday alleged.
Rashed Farrakhan, 43, faces more than seven years in prison if convicted of two felony charges: misconduct in public office and abuse of a resident in a penal facility.
According to the charging document, the alleged attack occurred Nov. 14 after Farrakhan and other officers escorted an inmate, identified only as T.M., to his cell. The inmate was "laughing at the officers," prompting Farrakhan to remove his glasses and repeatedly punch the inmate in the chest with closed fists.
Farrakhan was arrested the weekend of Dec. 8. and initially denied punching the inmate, but after being presented with statements from other officers said said it was "possible" he struck T.M.
In recorded conversations of his jail phone calls, Farrakhan was heard saying repeatedly that he "lost control" and "lost my cool" and admitted that he gave the inmate a "couple chest shots" and a "couple strikes," the complaint said.
"Renegade staff will not be tolerated in the Sheriff's Office," Sheriff Richard Schmidt said in a written statement when Farrakhan's arrest was announced. "I have made it clear that any allegations of misconduct will be investigated and brought to the District Attorney for potential charges. I ordered the arrest of the corrections officer and will inform the public of the details when the District Attorney's Office completes their review."