Colin Akparanta Engaged in Sexual Acts With Four Inmate Victims Between 2012 and 2018
Geoffrey S. Berman, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Guido Modano, Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (“DOJ OIG”), announced today the unsealing of a nine-count indictment charging federal correctional officer COLIN AKPARANTA with four counts of sexual abuse of a ward, four counts of abusive sexual contact, and one count of deprivation of civil rights. The charges stem from AKPARANTA’s alleged sexual abuse of four female inmates housed at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (“MCC”), a Manhattan detention facility that houses federal inmates, spanning the years 2012 through 2018. AKPARANTA was arrested today and will be presented and arraigned in Manhattan federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Debra Freeman later today. AKPARANTA’s case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Lorna G. Schofield.
U.S. Attorney Geoffrey S. Berman said: “As alleged, Colin Akparanta was a predator in uniform, exploiting his position to sexually abuse multiple inmates over a several-year period. No inmate in a Bureau of Prisons facility should fear sexual abuse at the hands of a correctional officer, and thankfully, Akparanta will have no more victims. I encourage all victims of this or similar conduct to contact my Office at the number below.”
DOJ OIG Special Agent-in-Charge Guido Modano said: “Correctional officers have a duty to protect federal inmates, but Akparanta allegedly abused his power over female inmates. Our office is committed to bringing to justice any Justice Department employee who commits sex crimes in federal correctional institutions.”
According to the Indictment, which was unsealed today in Manhattan federal court[1]:
AKPARANTA has been employed as a correctional officer at the MCC since 2004.
Between in or about late 2012 and in or about April 2018, AKPARANTA used his official position to engage in sexual acts and contact with at least four female inmates at the MCC while they were under AKPARANTA’s custodial, supervisory, and disciplinary authority. AKPARANTA digitally penetrated the victims’ vaginas and touched their breasts, buttocks, and/or genitalia. AKPARANTA also had some of the victims touch his penis over his pants. In addition, AKPARANTA smuggled contraband, including, but not limited to, personal hygiene items, makeup, and food into the MCC for some of the victims, and, with respect to at least one of the victims, explicitly conditioned his provision of contraband on the inmate’s continued performance of sexual acts with him. AKPARANTA also asked the victims for their contact information in order to reach them after their release.
COLIN AKPARANTA, 42, of Irvington, New Jersey, is charged with four counts of sexual abuse of a ward, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, four counts of abusive sexual contact, which carries a maximum sentence of two years in prison, and one count of deprivation of civil rights, which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.
Any individuals who believe they have information concerning COLIN AKPARANTA or any similar conduct should contact the United States Attorney’s Office at (866) 874-8900.
Mr. Berman praised the investigative work of the DOJ Office of the Inspector General and the Special Agents of the United States Attorney’s Office.
The charges contained in the Indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Indictment, and the description of the Indictment set forth herein, constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.
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