Elk Grove man pleads guilty in criminal civil rights violations of inmate
An Elk Grove man pleaded guilty yesterday to criminal civil rights violations. Arturo Pacheco, 40, of Elk Grove, entered the plea yesterday at U.S. Federal Court in Sacramento.
Evidence showed Pacheco, a correctional officer at California State Prison, Sacramento was escorting a prisoner on September 15, 2016, when he grabbed the legs of the inmate. As a result, whose hands were handcuffed behind his back, fell forward onto the concrete floor, breaking his jaw, several teeth, and suffering other injuries.
That inmate was transported to UC Davis Medical Center where he received treatment for his injuries. Approximately two days later, the inmate suffered a pulmonary embolism and died. While the inmate was receiving treatment, Pacheco, a sergeant, and other correctional officers began falsifying reports to cover up the incident.
Following the death of the inmate, investigators uncovered a second incident involving Pacheco. In that incident, on May 19, 2016, Pacheco had, unprovoked, discharged a canister of pepper spray at short range into the eyes of an inmate who was inside of a prison cell.
Pacheco falsified his report in that case to make it appear as though his actions were justified in order to save the life of the inmate. In reality, the inmate was fully complying with commands, and any use of force at that time was unlawful.
As outlined in the factual basis to his plea agreement, Pacheco sent text messages to a friend after the May 2016 incident, commenting how “funny” the incident was and “[i]t’s all about how u write ur report”, “plus ur partners have ur back.” As Pacheco said, “[b]lood, broken glass, n just u n ur partners. … Green light!”
“Pacheco deprived inmates of their civil rights, abusing his position of authority as a correctional officer to harm them,” U.S. Attorney Talbert said. “While Pacheco thought a ‘green wall’ or code of silence would protect him, he was wrong. His crimes have come to light and today he has admitted to his assaults and cover up. Those who violate the public’s trust by harming inmates ‘under the color of law’ or by covering up wrongdoing must and will be held accountable.”
Pacheco remains out of custody pending sentencing. Fellow former California State Prison, Sacramento correctional officer, Ashley M. Aurich, charged separately, is pending sentencing as well.
Pacheco is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge William B. Shubb on October 17, 2022. Pacheco faces a maximum statutory penalty of 20 years in prison on each of the false reporting counts and 10 years in prison on each of the assault counts and a $250,000 fine per count.
