Correctional Officer Pleads Guilty To Conspiring To Take Bribes To Smuggle Contraband Into The Metropolitan Correctional Center

Correctional officer Victor Casado conspired to take bribes from a federal inmate in his custody in exchange for smuggling contraband into the jail

  Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today the guilty plea of VICTOR CASADO to his role in a scheme to smuggle contraband into the Metropolitan Correctional Center (“MCC”), a Manhattan detention facility that houses federal inmates, in exchange for cash bribes.  CASADO, a former federal correctional officer, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery and to introduce contraband into prison before U.S. District Judge Richard J. Sullivan.

U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said:  “As a correctional officer, Victor Casado’s duty was to ensure the security of the Metropolitan Correctional Center and the safety of inmates in his care.  Instead of honoring that duty, he betrayed it, taking bribes to smuggle contraband into a jail that houses federal inmates.  This Office will continue to stop the corruption of our criminal justice system by those entrusted with supervising incarcerated individuals and keeping them safe.”

According to the Information and Complaint filed in this case, other public filings, and statements made during the plea proceeding:

CASADO was employed as a correctional officer at the MCC from 2012 until his resignation in July 2018.

On multiple occasions in 2016 and 2017, CASADO smuggled cellphones, alcohol, over-the-counter medications, and food into the MCC in exchange for bribe payments from inmates.  These bribes were funneled to CASADO by non-incarcerated relatives or associates of the inmates, either in cash or by wire transfer.  For example, on multiple occasions, CASADO received bribes from an inmate (“Inmate-1”), transferred by one of Inmate-1’s attorneys, totaling more than $25,000, in exchange for smuggling alcohol and cellphones, among other contraband, into the MCC for Inmate-1.  Additionally, CASADO also requested and received thousands of dollars in payments from another inmate (“Inmate-5”), which were delivered to CASADO by Inmate-5’s relatives and a paralegal who represented him.  Inmate-5 paid CASADO at CASADO’s insistence, ostensibly to fund travel by CASADO to the Dominican Republic.

CASADO, 35, of the Bronx, New York, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bribery and to introduce contraband into prison.  The charge carries a maximum term of five years in prison.  CASADO is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Sullivan on January 11, 2019.  The maximum potential penalty is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge. 

Mr. Berman praised the investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice, Office of Inspector General.