CARLISLE —
A warrant has been issued through Sullivan County Superior Court for a Washington man accused of battery resulting in bodily injury, a Class C felony.
Derek J. Werden, 32, allegedly assaulted offenders at the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility Aug. 26 while working there as a correctional officer. An excessive force investigation, initiated by WVCF Correctional Police and Indiana State Police, ended with his and three other arrest warrants issued Thursday after the Sullivan County Prosecutors Office received the case late last week.
Bradley Keller, 30, and Marty Getchell, 47, both of Sullivan County, and Thomas Kaiser, 27, of Greene County, also face battery resulting in serious bodily injury charges in incidents that took place just minutes after a fight broke out in a WVCF housing unit. Werden, housing unit officer, allegedly instigated the fight and used unnecessary force on offender Jamour Maxieson. Once the situation was under control, Maxieson and offender Anthony Spearman were restrained and escorted to separate segregation units.
Officer Timothy Betts, 51, of Jasonville, collapsed while assisting in the escort of Maxieson and passed away of a heart attack soon after arrival at Sullivan County Community Hospital. Investigators said Segregation Officers Keller, Getchell and Kaiser witnessed Officer Betts receiving emergency care immediately after his collapse, just minutes before they escorted Spearman to segregation. They are accused of assaulting Spearman while escorting him to their assigned unit.
Offender Spearman was treated for eye socket and related injuries then transferred to another facility. Maxieson was treated at the facility infirmary and also transferred.
Superintendent Richard Brown fired Keller, Getchell and Kaiser last week. Werden was terminated two weeks ago. They have been on unpaid suspension during the course of the Indiana State Police/WVCF Correctional Police investigation.
“Correctional professionals do not use unnecessary force, ever,” Superintendent Brown said. “The alleged actions by these officers is intolerable. They have no place in our ranks of dedicated, conscientious employees.”
Commissioner Bruce Lemmon said, “Such actions are never tolerated, and I commend Wabash Valley staff and the Indiana State Police for taking immediate steps to right this wrong.”
Spearman, 21, is serving a six-year sentence on a Marion County robbery conviction. His earliest release date is January of 2013. Maxieson, 21, is serving a 12-year term on Marion County carjacking, robbery and handgun possession without a license convictions. His earliest release date is December of 2013.
Bond for Keller, Getchell, Kaiser and Werden is set at $15,000 with 10 percent allowed.
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