3 Jail Guards Convicted of Beating Rioters
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ELIZABETH, N.J. — A jury convicted three jail guards of misconduct Friday in the vicious beatings of immigrants who had rioted at a federal detention center to protest their mistreatment.
The detainees were forced to walk by corrections officers saying “America is No. 1,” while the guards punched and kicked them, authorities said.
Sgt. Charles Popovic, Sgt. James Rice and Officer Michael Sica were convicted of conspiracy, obstruction of justice, official misconduct, witness tampering and hindering apprehension in the June 18-21, 1995, abuse of 25 immigrants seeking asylum.
Only Popovic and Rice were accused of committing the beatings. Bail was revoked for all three and they were in custody. All could be sentenced to five to 10 years.
The nearly two-month trial featured the sometimes tearful testimony of nearly every immigrant taken to the county jail after overpowering guards and vandalizing the Esmor Detention Center to protest poor conditions.
Eight other guards indicted in the case will be tried later.
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