Prison officer allegedly assaulted inmate at Barnstable prison

A deputy correctional officer was arrested Friday after allegedly assaulting an inmate at the Barnstable County Correctional Facility in May, officials said. This is the second time in a year that the officer has been placed on leave due to pending assault charges, according to court records.

Gregory Djaoen, of New Bedford, will be arraigned Monday in Falmouth District Court, the Cape and Islands District Attorney's Office announced. Djaoen faces two counts of battery, one count of battery with a dangerous weapon and one count of intimidation of a witness.

According to the prosecutor, an inmate reported that Djaoen, 38, assaulted them on May 25 and 26, leading to an investigation by Massachusetts State Police earlier this month. The prosecutor said the security footage “assisted the investigation.”

The Barnstable County Sheriff's Office said in a statement Friday that Djaoen was separated from inmates and placed on furlough before the state police investigation began on June 2. The Sheriff's Office primarily operates the Barnstable Correctional Facility.

“These accusations involve an individual committed to the care and custody of the Barnstable County Correctional Facility and, if proven true, stand in stark contrast to the faithful service of the good men and women who so honorably represent the Sheriff's Office of Barnstable County each day,” wrote Sheriff Donna Buckley.

The prosecutor also said he asked New Bedford police to indefinitely suspend Djaoen's carry license because of the allegations.

Suspected road rage incident last year

Last summer, a Barnstable County Sheriff's Office employee was placed on leave following an incident on Route 28, according to a statement from the office that did not identify the officer's name.

According to court records, it was Djaoen who was arrested in July and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and threatening to commit a crime. He pleaded not guilty in court.

According to the police report, a man said he braked in the far left lane because Djaoen was driving too close to his car. The man reported that Djaoen then pointed the gun at him while they were both driving. Djaoen told police his gun was right on the dashboard and it had slipped, according to the report.

According to court records, prosecutors dropped both charges against Djaoen in November.