An inmate at the Pima County jail was left unconscious after being punched several times in the face by a corrections officer, a court filing shows.
The inmate, Joshua Garcia, was deemed βunrulyβ and βnon-compliantβ prior to the Aug. 31 altercation in the jailβs booking area.
Corrections Officer Ayden Escarrega, 20, was arrested on suspicion of aggravated assault and jailed after an initial investigation into the incident.
Escarrega and other corrections officers were in the jailβs intake processing area when a confrontation with Garcia began, according to an initial complaint filed in Pima County Justice Court.
Several corrections officers struggled with Garcia in an effort to place him in restraints, the complaint says.
When Garciaβs behavior continued, officers placed him on his stomach and restrained his body, legs and right arm. Despite being tackled, the complaint says, Garcia continued to struggle against the officers.
At this point, Escarrega allegedly punched Garcia in the face four times, the complaint says.
The hits rendered Garcia unconscious. He also was left with minor lacerations and contusions, the court document says.
Garcia was taken to a hospital, then returned to jail.
Surveillance and body cam footage of the incident was collected.
The court document also notes that Escarrega allegedly admitted to striking a restrained Garcia in an attempt to gain compliance.
