FOUR GUARDS CHARGED IN INMATE DEATH

UNIONDALE, N.Y. (AP) Four prison guards were charged Wednesday in the
beating death of an inmate who allegedly angered them by repeatedly crying
out for his methadone treatment.

The guards pleaded innocent in the death of Thomas Pizzuto, who died six
days after entering the Nassau County jail to serve three months for a
traffic violation.

Pizzuto, 38, a recovering heroin addict, had a seizure three days after the
alleged beating and died.

"A 90-day sentence turned into a death sentence," Pizzuto family attorney
Peter Neufeld said.

All four guards were released on $500,000 bond. Lawyers for the men said
they would be cleared.

"He feels he will be vindicated," said defense lawyer Edward Jenks,
representing Officer Ivano Bavaro.

Bavaro, along with fellow jail guards Edward Valazquez and Patrick Regnier,
were charged with two counts of federal civil rights violations. The charges
carry a maximum sentence of life in prison.

According to the indictment, Bavaro served as lookout when Valazquez and
Regnier went to the inmate's cell and beat him repeatedly on Pizzuto's
second day in custody.

After the alleged Jan. 8 beating, Pizzuto was left in his jail cell over the
weekend to let his injuries heal, his family claimed.

A fourth guard, Joseph Bergen, was charged as an accessory after the fact
for allegedly doctoring a report of the death to claim Pizzuto suffered his
injuries in a shower room fall. The maximum sentence for the charge is 15
years in prison.

All four officers remain on modified duty at the jail pending trial. Their
weapons were taken away, and they are permitted no contact with inmates.