AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE DEATHS OF TWO INMATES AT A PORTLAND OREGON COUNTY JAIL HAS SPREAD TO HAWAII.

August 25 2000

The tattoos of two Oregon deputies appear to have their roots at Halawa Correctional Facility in Hawaii. The Multnomah Sheriff Department is conducting an internal investigation into the deaths of 39-year old Jon Beckel and 47-year old James Luoto ... and an alleged assault on another man in three separate incidences last month. The beatings allegedly occurred in the booking area of the Justice Center Jail in downtown Portland.

The investigation has spread to Hawaii because two of the deputies under investigation have the same tattoo worn by a former Halawa prison guard who went to work there ten months ago. The former prison guard -- Michael Foster -- is not implicated in any of the beatings. But he was fired in Oregon when the investigation revealed he was not truthful during a background check.

Hawaii prison guards who wear the tattoo, "The Brotherhood of the Strong", say it merely identified them as teammates in a weight-lifting competition.

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