Hospital security supervisor handcuffed, put pillow over female security officer’s head during assault
Fort Collins CO January 21 2019
Police say that more details have come to light detailing how a hospital security officer was tortured by other security personnel while she was on duty.
The female security officer at Poudre Valley Hospital told police that her supervisor and co-worker restrained her and poured water over her face, making her feel like she was “drowning.”
A technique known as “water-boarding”.
On Dec. 28, supervisor Yas Al Khazaali, 35, and Jeffrey Doak, 27, were arrested and subsequently charged with second-degree assault, second-degree kidnapping and false imprisonment — all felony offenses.
Police were able to gather evidence to obtain the warrants against the two men and immediately took them into custody.
The female security officer also told police that she and Khazaali were “bantering back and forth,” at work Dec. 24 when she said something that made Khazaali angry, according to arrest documents.
While she was seated in a rolling chair, Khazaali grabbed her sleeve and pulled her down the hallway to an area where security cameras do not cover. The woman told police. “he was so strong” and that she could not get up or break away from his grip.
Once they reached the private area, she told police Doak came in and handcuffed her hands behind her back and put a pillowcase over her head. She then felt someone wrap a large towel around her face, covering her eyes, nose and mouth, according to arrest documents.
She then heard the crinkling of a water bottle, and someone poured water over her face.
“(She) felt like she was ‘drowning’ and couldn’t breathe,” an officer wrote in arrest documents. “(She) thought she was going to die.”
The woman told police after the men poured water on her face, they laughed, and she heard Doak say, “That took a dark turn.” After removing the pillowcase and handcuffs, the woman said Doak said, “You know we love you.”
While in the security office at Poudre Valley Hospital on Dec. 27, the woman told Khazaali she would be leaving because she got a new job, and he reportedly told her “she would be leaving, but she wouldn’t be leaving walking straight,” according to arrest documents.
Khazaali then punched her in the arm twice, and the woman told police she yelled, “Stop.” She said Khazaali then grabbed both her arms and held them behind her back. Doak, who she said was nearby, came in and wrapped a towel around her face and the men again poured water into her nose and mouth through the towel, according to arrest documents.
The following day, after reporting the incidents to police, an officer instructed the woman to send a Facebook message to Doak. During their conversation, the woman wrote “It really took a dark turn in all reality,” and Doak replied, “Sorry we took it a little far.”
Doak also told the woman Khazaali was the one who poured the water, he “thought we were just (abducting) you,” according to arrest documents.
While with the officer, the woman also texted Khazaali asking him how much water he poured on her face. Khazaali replied, “What are you talking about?” and followed the message with two rain cloud emojis, according to arrest documents.
When speaking with police, both Khazaali and Doak admitted to restraining the woman, and Khazaali said he “poured a small amount of water on her head,” according to arrest documents. Khazaali said he and Doak were “joking” with the woman and thought she also perceived it as a joke.
Doak told police the woman said “no” when Khazaali poured water on her face, and they immediately stopped and removed the handcuffs.
According to a news release from Fort Collins police, the employer suspended the two suspects when police notified them of the allegations.
Khazaali is next scheduled to appear in court for a disposition hearing Feb. 5. Doak is scheduled to appear Tuesday for an appearance of counsel. Both men are out on bond.
