NJ corrections officer and his girlfriend charged in unprovoked inmate assault

Two corrections officers engaged to be married have been charged in connection with an unprovoked assault on an inmate.

Acting Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri said Issac Wood III, 40, of Ewing, punched the inmate in the face on May 11 at the Mercer County Correctional Center, causing him to fall.  Wood then kicked the inmate multiple times in the head and on the body as Trachell Syphax, 31, of Trenton, witnessed the incident and did not intervene.

The officers both filed false reports about Woods' use of force, according to Onofri, who said the inmate did not provoke or resist Woods.

Wood and Syphax were suspended without pay soon after the May 11 and charged on summons complaints. Woods was also charged with official misconduct while Syphax was charged with official misconduct.

Wood has nearly 21 years of service and earns a base salary of more than $89,500. Syphax has more than eights years of service and earns a base salary of more than $68,800.

Onofri said neither officer was involved in a separate incident at the Lambertville facility in April.