Teen Defendants Face Up To 25 Years in Prison
Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that four Rikers Island inmates
have been indicted on Gang Assault and related crimes for attacking a Correction Officer,
causing serious injuries including a fractured spinal column.
District Attorney Clark said, “No one should suffer such horrendous injury while
performing his duty as a civil servant. We will work hard to bring justice for this officer, who
continues to recover. This indictment sends the message that gang violence will not be
tolerated on Rikers Island. If convicted, these defendants could face 25 years in prison.”
District Attorney Clark said the defendants, Steven Espinal AKA Jefe Balla, 18, of
Lancaster, PA,; Samson Waltson AKA Bam Balla, 18, of Creston Avenue, the Bronx;
Nazeem Francis AKA Naz Balla, 18, of Queens; and Devin Burns AKA Dev Balla, 18, of
Third Avenue, the Bronx were indicted on first-degree Gang Assault, Assault on a Peace
Office, Police Officer, Fireman or Emergency Medical Services Professional; second-degree
Gang Assault and three counts of second-degree Assault.
Defendants Espinal, Waltson and Francis were arraigned yesterday before Bronx
Supreme Court Justice George Villegas. Bail was set for Espinal at $500,000, $330,000 for
Francis and $300,000 for Waltson. They are due back in court on June 20,
, 2018. Burns is
expected to be arraigned later this week. If convicted of the top charge, they face up to 25
years in prison
According to the investigation, on February 10, 2018, inside the George Motchan
Detention Center, Espinal allegedly began the assault, striking Correction Officer Jean Roston
Souffrant, 39, in the head. The other inmates allegedly joined in the attack, punching, kicking
and throwing objects at the officer causing him to lose consciousness. CO Souffrant suffered a
fractured spinal column and head injury.
An indictment is an accusatory instrument and not proof of a defendant’s guilt.
