A brutal beating delivered by Hawaii Community Correctional Center guards in 2015, followed by a years-long cover-up, has finally landed four former officers in federal prison. The victim, a non-violent inmate, was savagely attacked during a routine transfer, suffering a broken jaw, nose, and orbital socket. The feds weren’t buying the silence.
Sergeant Jonathan Taum orchestrated the assault, directing his officers to repeatedly punch and kick the defenseless inmate. Jason Tagaloa delivered many of the most forceful blows, while Craig Pinkney held the victim down, facilitating the attack. The quartet then allegedly fabricated reports and intimidated potential witnesses to bury the truth. It took years, but the conspiracy unraveled.
Jordan DeMattos, the youngest of the four, cut a deal with federal prosecutors and testified against his colleagues. He received the lightest sentence: 12 months and one day. Taum, the ringleader, faces a staggering 144 months behind bars. Tagaloa will spend 96 months in prison, and Pinkney received a 60-month sentence. These aren’t slaps on the wrist; they’re acknowledgements of serious abuse of power.
The FBI led the investigation, meticulously piecing together evidence of the assault and the subsequent conspiracy. Assistant U.S. Attorney Craig Nolan, working with the Civil Rights Division’s Criminal Section, drove the prosecution, presenting a damning case that left the officers with few defenses. The feds made it clear: abusing inmates and lying about it will not be tolerated.
Federal prosecutors emphasized that these sentences aren’t just about punishing four rogue officers; they’re about protecting the civil rights of *all* individuals in custody. The abuse at Hawaii Community Correctional Center eroded trust in the system and perpetuated a cycle of misconduct. This case sends a message that those entrusted with power will be held accountable for its misuse.
This wasn’t a spontaneous outburst. It was a calculated assault followed by a deliberate attempt to obstruct justice. The lengths to which these officers went to conceal their actions – falsifying reports, intimidating witnesses – only compounded their crimes. The Grimy Times will continue to track cases of correctional officer misconduct and hold those who abuse their authority responsible.
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