Two Orange County Correctional Officers, who were caught on tape striking and kicking an inmate on numerous occasions, were arrested on Friday, after they turned themselves in. The officers were booked and released on bond set at $500 each, Orange County Sheriff’s deputies said.
The two correctional officers arrested are: Jose Ayala-Martinez, 38 years and Alton Mercer, 29.
According to the arrest affidavits, Ayala-Martinez and Mercer struck and kicked inmate, Isaiah Issac Nickson numerous times on June 4th, even while he lay handcuffed on the floor of his cell. Orange County Corrections uncovered the incident which was all caught on tape.
The medical condition and treatment provided to inmate Nickson, by Orange County Corrections Department medical personnel, have not been released.
Both rogue correctional officers, who were relieved from duty without pay on June 9th pending the outcome of a criminal and internal investigation, voluntarily turned themselves in on Friday, June 18, after warrants were issued for their arrests on “Battery”.
See Arrest Affidavit of Jose J. Ayala-Martinez Here.
See Arrest Affidavit of Isaiah Issac Nickson Here.
Ayala-Martinez, was hired as a Correctional Release Specialist in April 2006, and became a Correctional Officer one year later.
Mercer, was hired as a Correctional Officer in March 2004.
Currently, the two officers remain Orange County Employees even though they are not receiving pay while on “relieve from duty” status.
