PHILADELPHIA — An inmate is suing the City of Philadelphia and corrections officers, citing alleged failure to protect.
Juan Sanchez filed a complaint on Jan. 7, in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California against the City of Philadelphia; Gerald May; James McCants; Rodica Craescu; and other unknown individuals for alleged violation of the Prison Rape Elimination Act.
According to the complaint, on Jan. 29, 2018, Juan Sanchez was in a cell he shared with five other inmates when an inmate sexually assaulted him in full view of defendants as prison guards.
Plaintiff claims he was denied of assistance despite explicitly repeatedly requesting help. In addition, the full sexual assault was captured on the prison video and lasted for at least 22 minutes.
The plaintiff says the defendants failed to observe an easily observable sexual assault, failed to stop the assault even after observing it, and failed to render aid to plaintiff.
The plaintiff requests a trial by jury and seeks judgment for compensatory damages in a sum in excess of $150,000 plus punitive damages, attorney's fees, costs, and all other relief as the court deems just and proper. He is represented by Val Wison of Wilson & Johnson in Philadelphia.
The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania Case No. is 2:19-cv-00088-CMR.