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Scott Petrasic, 34 of Harrisburg was charged with two misdemeanors for simple assault and official oppression, in connection with an "incident" on Feb. 24, as stated in the release.
The charges come after a full investigation by Detectives from the Criminal Investigation Division of the District Attorney’s Office.
The primary evidence is Petrasic's BodyCam, which captured him assaulting and abusing his power over a woman in police custody, according to the affidavit.
Ethel Alkarim was allegedly intoxicated with her pants partially down when Petrasic was supposed to put her in a cell, investigators explained in the affidavit.
When she refused to follow commands he pushed towards a wall "with such force that the right side of her head hit the wall. Alkarim fell to the floor as a result of the strike," as stated in the affidavit.
While on the floor sobbing in a "small puddle of blood" coming from her right ear, Petrasic gets additional guards to shackle her, investigators explained in the affidavit. Clearly in pain, the other corrections officers summon a nurse to evaluate Alkarim but Petrasic has them hold her by the shoulders and force her head towards her ankles during the exam, as detailed in the affidavit.
Petrasic and an Officer Blackburn drag her fully into a cell as she is in too much pain to stand under the weight of the shackles, investigators said. As they shoved her in a corner, leaning forward with her head against a wall, her pants fall down, fully exposing her buttocks — which is how she is left for "several minutes" as she is seen in the BodyCam footage begging for medical care and Petrasic tells her to "follow commands," the investigators said.
Finally, she was placed on a bench, and arraignment was made to move her from the judicial center but by now she was complaining of head pain and nausea from the strike into the concrete wall and falling onto the concrete floor, according to the affidavit.
It is unknown what sort of medical care she ever received and what her current condition is.
Alkarim was charged with fighting and public drunkenness, her court docket shows. Her preliminary hearing is set before Magisterial District Judge Hanif L. Johnson Sr. at 10:15 a.m. on April 18.
“We are committed to full transparency, accountability, and the highest standards of ethics and professionalism in law enforcement,” said John Bey, Dauphin County’s Director of Criminal Justice. “Any conduct that deviates from our Code of Conduct and the highest standards of integrity, respect and humane treatment will be addressed immediately.”
Dauphin County Commissioner Justin Douglas, who has oversight of the Prison, said, "The allegations deeply concern me, and I'm dedicated to upholding justice, transparency, and humane treatment. I'm thankful to the District Attorney for filing criminal charges, ensuring that any misconduct is appropriately addressed. Our aim is to foster a correctional setting that is safe, just, and respectful.”
Petrasic's preliminary hearing has been scheduled before Magisterial District Judge Michael J. Smith at 1:30 p.m. on April 24.
Petrasic was suspended without pay beginning March 24.
Editor's Note: This article has been updated with details from court documents obtained by Daily Voice after we initially published it.
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