Milwaukee County Jail inmate abuse, former officers charged
MILWAUKEE - Two former Milwaukee County correctional officers are accused of abusing two jail inmates in 2024.
Prosecutors said the guards, 30-year-old Rafael Gomez and 25-year-old Marques Reeder, repeatedly hit and pepper sprayed the two inmates.
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Case details
A 28-page criminal complaint states Gomez and Reeder used excessive force on the inmates, who were retrained, in September. Both inmates were on a jail floor that houses those on suicide watch.
According to court filings, the first incident happened when an inmate stripped naked and made threats after saying he needed help and swallowed metal. The situation escalated when the two officers repeatedly hit and pepper sprayed the man.
Milwaukee County Jail
The complaint said Gomez hit the man with the can of pepper spray, and Reeder pulled his dreadlocks and rubbed the spray in the man's eyes. Prosecutors said the inmate then said: "I'm sorry bro."
Less than an hour later, investigators said another inmate said he witnessed what happened and threatened to harm himself. The complaint said the inmate started to argue with Reeder, who was repeating "spit" multiple times, as the inmate repeatedly said "spray" back at him.
Investigators said Reeder used pepper spray meant for an entire cell on that inmate, and Gomez later hit the man – causing him to bleed from his nose.
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In custody
Surveillance and body-worn cameras captured most of what happened. Prosecutors said what the guards explained had happened didn't match what was seen on video.
Investigators said both former guards told them they didn't follow protocol because of staffing shortages at the jail. Reeder said he wasn't trained to work on that particular floor.
Both men are scheduled to make their initial court appearances later this month on charges that include abuse of inmates and misconduct.
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Statement from MCSO
"The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) holds its members to high standards, given the weight of our responsibility to protect and serve the public. Our commitment to those standards is evidenced by the fact that upon learning of these now-former officers’ alleged actions, MCSO detectives initiated and led a thorough investigation that provided the evidence needed for the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office to file criminal charges. Subsequently, these officers, who were still in their probationary employment phase, were separated from their employment with MCSO. MCSO will continue to cooperate with the District Attorney’s Office as these cases make their way through the criminal justice system."