" It was a nightmare "....fugging cops

It was a 'nightmare': R.I. woman's claims of assault by jailers leads to investigation

The Rock Island County Integrity Task Force is investigating a woman's claim that she was assaulted by Rock Island County Jail personnel after being arrested in a domestic dispute.

Joan Mulvania, 47, of Rock Island, called the experience a "nightmare." She spoke to a reporter a few days after the incident, the left side of her face still bruised and cut.

"I felt so violated. I was so afraid. I really thought they were going to kill me somehow. I really thought I was going to die," she said of the abuse she alleges by four jailers.

Illinois State Police Lt. Rene Sandoval, commander of the Task Force, confirmed it is investigating the allegations after receiving a call from the Rock Island County Sheriff's Department.

The task force investigates claims of official misconduct and other law enforcement-related incidents.

"We received a phone call of allegations of abuse against an inmate," Lt. Sandoval said, declining to give further details because it is an "open investigation."

Although the task force is comprised of agents from all Illinois Quad-Cities law enforcement agencies, the sheriff's department is excluded from the investigation, Lt. Sandoval said.

Rock Island County Sheriff's Department Capt. William Kauzlarich declined to discuss the allegations, saying only, "We're going to let the investigation speak for itself. We won't have any comment until the investigation is done."

more @ linky with photos.

http://qconline.com/archives/qco/display.php?id=518441

Ms. Mulvania said she is a gay disabled veteran. She called police one recent early morning after her former partner showed up at her residence and caused a disturbance.

When Rock Island police arrived, they arrested both women. Ms. Mulvania was booked into the Rock Island County jail a half hour later, according to the Rock Island Police Department arrest report.

According to Rosie Hurtte, Ms. Mulvania's former partner, the two never physically came to blows. Ms. Mulvania did not have a scratch on her when they were arrested, Ms. Hurtte said.Ms. Hurtte also was not charged with a crime, according to court records, and was released from jail the same day as Ms. Mulvania

What are the odds, I know, slim. But I hope all of those cops get fired for this and charged for violations of her civil rights. x(