SHARE

Inmate Convicted In Westchester Assaults Correction Officers, PBA Says

Three officers were hospitalized after being assaulted by an inmate convicted on attempted robbery in Westchester at the Fishkill Correctional Facility, according to the New York State Correctional Officers Police Benevolent Association.

Fishkill Correctional Facility

Fishkill Correctional Facility

Photo Credit: File

The officers were assaulted on Friday, April 14 at 1:35 p.m, according to James Miller, a spokesman for the NYSCOPBA, by an inmate serving seven years for assault and attempted robbery.

Two officers were making routine rounds in a housing unit and both officers entered the inmate bathroom and immediately smelled smoke coming from a bathroom stall, Miller said. The officers ordered the inmate, Luiggi Bermeotoral, to exit the stall, Miller said. 

Bermeotoral, was ordered to face the wall so the officers could frisk him for contraband, Miller said. Bermeotoral initially faced the wall but then he reached into his left pocket, spun around suddenly and struck one of the officers in the face with a closed fist, Miller said.  

The 22-year-old Bermeotoral grabbed the officer’s shirt and continued to throw punches at the officer, striking him several more times in the face, Miller said.

The second officer immediately grabbed the inmate around the waist and brought him to the floor as the inmate continued to fight, Miller said. Bermeotoral was able to punch the second officer several times in the neck and below the right eye during the struggle, Miller said.

Three additional officers responded to the scene, Miller said. One female officer attempted to gain control of the inmate’s legs but before she was able to get control, she was kicked in the neck and shoulder, Miller said.

Two officers were able to get Inmate Bermeotoral restrained on the ground and stop the attack, Miller said. He was placed in restraints and removed from the bathroom,  Miller said.

The three injured officers were transported to Vassar Hospital for treatment and released, Miler said. One officer was treated for facial contusions and bruising and swelling to his right hand and wrist, Miller said. The second officer was treated for swelling to his face and pain in his wrist, shoulder, and neck, Miller said. The third officer, who was kicked, was treated for neck and shoulder pain, Miller said. The officers remain off duty.

Two additional officers were treated at the facility for minor injuries. They both remained on duty.

Bermeotoral was convicted in Westchester County in 2015 for two counts of assault in the second degree and attempted robbery in the second degree. He is serving a seven-year sentence. Following the assault, he was transferred to Green Haven and placed in a special housing unit, Miller said.

to follow Daily Voice Cortlandt and receive free news updates.

SCROLL TO NEXT ARTICLE