A Texas jailer was arrested and fired after he tried to wake up an inmate for fingerprints and a mugshot by thrusting a baton into his anus, according to a criminal complaint.
It was such a egregious act, several jailers who witnessed the assault gave sworn statements against their fellow detention officer, 32-year-old Michael David Hinojosa of Mercedes, confirming the inmate’s story.
One jailer “confirmed that he observed Detention Officer Michael Hinojosa push his ASP baton into [the inmate’s] anus four to five times.”
Investigators with the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Officer arrested Hinojosa on Monday, charging him with improper sexual activity with a person in custody, a state jail felony.
Sheriff Eddie Guerra issued a public statement about the assault Monday night saying he was “disappointed”, but promised to investigate the matter and to take necessary actions preserve the public’s confidence and trust in the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office.
As your Hidalgo County Sheriff, I oversee hundreds of deputies, detention officers and employees everyday, of whom I hold to high standards of police distinction and excellence. I do this because I truly believe that as public servants, we must maintain accountability and trust from the people we serve, to continue the mission of public safety. I am greatly disappointed and concerned, over the actions of one of my detention officers that does not reflect our office’s commitment to these high standards.
After learning of a use of force incident between Detention Officer Michael Hinojosa, and an inmate at our adult detention center, I initiated an internal investigation which revealed violation of protocols, policies and Texas state law. I have since terminated Hinojosa’s employment from the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office, and also filed criminal charges against him for Violation of Civil Rights of Person In Custody.
I stand behind my promise that I am committed to restoring and preserving the public’s confidence and trust in the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office. We will continue to investigate all allegations of employee misconduct, and I will take the necessary and appropriate actions to maintain accountability and transparency to you, the citizens we serve.
Hinojoas was released at 10:55 p.m. Monday after being booked into the Hidalgo County Jail at 10:07 p.m.
He was unavailable for comment.
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