NYC DOC OFFICER INDICTED FOR SMUGGLING CONTRABAND INTO RIKERS ISLAND WORTH $15,000 IN THE JAIL

 

Defendant Allegedly Brought In 200 Cigarettes and a Cellphone in Exchange for Cash

Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced a NYC Department of Correction Officer has been indicted for allegedly smuggling approximately $15,000 worth of contraband into Rikers Island. 

District Attorney Clark said, “Cigarettes are sold for $50 to $100 each in Rikers Island jails, making this contraband extremely valuable, and a fuel for violence. The Correction Officer allegedly committed activity that contributes to crime in the jail.” 

NYC Department of Investigation Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber said, “As charged, this defendant – a NYC Correction Officer – accepted bribes to smuggle cigarettes and cellphones into the Rikers Island jail facility, supporting the illicit contraband trade and undermining the safety of his fellow correction officers who do their jobs with integrity, as well as other persons in custody. I thank the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office for its partnership on this investigation and the Department of Correction for its cooperation.”

NYC Department of Correction Commissioner Lynelle Maginley-Liddie said, “This individual put his own interests above the safety of the people in custody, DOC employees, and visitors. Our jails become less safe when correction officers accept bribes to smuggle in contraband. We commend the Office of the Bronx District Attorney for working with our department to ensure this individual is brought to justice.”

District Attorney Clark said the defendant, Kendell Felix, 37, was arraigned today on thirddegree Bribe Receiving, first-degree Promoting Prison Contraband, two counts of second-degree Promoting Prison Contraband, and Official Misconduct before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Shari Michels. The defendant is due back in court on December 4, 2024.

According to the investigation, between August 25, 2024, and August 27, 2024, the defendant, a Correction Officer assigned to the North Infirmary Command, allegedly accepted $3,000 in exchange for providing contraband. Felix allegedly provided 200 cigarettes, and a cell phone in exchange for $3,000. The estimated value of the contraband in prison is approximately $15,000.  

District Attorney Clark thanked NYC Department of Investigation Correction Officer Investigator Andrew Walker, with assistance from Correction Officer Investigator Brian Hilario, supervised by Assistant Inspector General Sasha Holguin, Deputy Inspector General Sony Fortune, Inspector General Whitney Ferguson, Deputy Commissioner of Strategic Initiatives Christopher Ryan, and Deputy Commissioner/Chief of Investigations Dominick Zarrella for their work on the case.

An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.