Ruben McAusland, a 27-year-old police officer from Paterson, New Jersey, was caught on camera assaulting a suicidal patient who was lying in a hospital bed in a recently released, disturbing video. McAusland can be seen on video — which was captured by a fellow officer — viciously slapping the patient. After the second slap, blood can be seen flying out of the patient’s mouth and onto the bed.
The patient has been identified as Andrew Casciano, according to the New York Post. Casciano had just attempted suicide before being taken to St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center.
According to NJ.com, US Attorney Craig Carpenito adds that McAusland also pushed and punched Casciano in the face when he was in a wheelchair in the waiting room. As a result of the assaults, Casciano suffered multiple facial injuries and required surgery to repair his eye.
You can watch the disturbing video below.
WARNING: Graphic Content
McAusland was recently sentenced to more than five years in prison after appearing in Newark federal court on Wednesday, March 27.
Along with the assault, McAusland pleaded guilty to selling marijuana, heroin and powder and crack cocaine that he stole from a crime scene. Carpenito alleges that McAusland had sold drugs to other officers. Officer Roger Then, 29, is allegedly the officer who recorded the assault and he is awaiting sentencing.
“Through prosecutions like this one, police officers like McAusland — who dealt drugs, stole from a crime scene, and viciously attacked a person who sought help from the Paterson Police Department — are removed from positions where they can violate the public trust and deprive others of their civil rights under color of law,” the US Attorney said in a statement.
Casciano, meanwhile, has filed a $4 million lawsuit against the city of Paterson, according to NorthJersey.com. McAusland was also ordered to pay $32,892 in restitution.