On March 6th, charges were laid out against 25 different defendants in various cases all related to ongoing violence and chaos in the Metropolitan Detention Center in Sunset Park. The cases were all announced by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York and included charges like violent assault, smuggling contraband into a correctional facility, fraud, attempted smuggling, and smuggling drugs into a correctional facility.
Over a dozen inmates and at least one correctional officer have been implicated in the Sunset Park facility’s illegal operations. The FBI’s New York Field Office as well as the U.S. Bureau of Prisons collaborated together to coordinate investigative efforts.
In the first case (US vs Daryl Campbell, Ian Diez, Jonathan Guerrero, Abel Mora, and Mayovanex Rodriguez), inmate Daryl Campbell used a cellphone, which is illegal behind bars, to develop and coordinate a conspiracy to smuggle drugs and other contraband into the facility. The operation focused on contraband like cigarette lighters, cigarettes, drugs, and other dangerous items. In short, Campbell threw a line out of a window of his cell. A co-conspirator would then attach various contraband onto the line so that the inmate could pull it back inside. All the suspects face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
In another case (US v. Sean Smith, Rasheed Chapman, and Antwan Mosley), inmates allegedly assaulted a victim causing serious lacerations. They could also face up to 10 additional years in prison.
In US v. Erik Steadman and Javaughn Horton, the inmates assaulted another inmate so severely that they caused significant lacerations to his face. They face up to 10 years.
In US v. Angel Villafane, the suspect was indicted for possessing 21 ceramic scalpels, which are considered contraband behind bars due to the fact that they can be used as weapons. According to reports, staff witnessed the suspect remove the scalpels from a bag of Doritos while in a visiting room at the facility. This suspect faces up to 15 years.
In US v. Najee Jackson, a former correctional officer was arrested after he arrived to work his night shift position while wearing a protective vest full of marijuana and cigarettes. He faces up to five years in prison if convicted.
Facing New Charges as an Inmate
Have you ever been accused of committing additional criminal activity behind bars? Unfortunately for inmates, it can be extremely difficult to escape being dragged along in criminal conspiracies while locked away since you also need to survive and get along with other inmates in jail.
If you get caught up and face additional charges as an inmate, then your best bet is to consult with an attorney who can go over your rights and options with you. The right lawyer will work towards developing a solid defense strategy to protect you from additional time behind bars. While you might not be able to get off without any consequences, a good lawyer will help you minimize your penalties.
Schedule a consultation call with our team now to talk to a lawyer about your charges.
