Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark today announced that three Rikers
Island inmates have been sentenced to prison terms for an assault on a New York City
Department of Correction Officer that left the officer with a fractured spinal column.
District Attorney Clark said, “The Officer suffered a horrendous injury while performing
his duty as a civil servant. He has been an inspiration in his long recovery and through
rehabilitation. The main defendant will serve 10 years for the assault, concurrent with a 10-year
term for his underlying Attempted Murder case. We had hoped he would have to serve more
time to send a stronger message that gang violence will not be tolerated on Rikers Island.”
District Attorney Clark said the defendants, Steven Espinal, AKA Jefe Balla, 19,
of Lancaster, PA,; Samson Waltson AKA Bam Balla, 19, of Creston Avenue, the Bronx;
and Devin Burns AKA Dev Balla, 19, of Third Avenue, the Bronx were sentenced today by
Bronx Supreme Court Justice Barry E. Warhit. They had pleaded guilty on February 20, 2019.
Espinal and Waltson pleaded guilty in the Rikers case pursuant to offers by the judge.
Espinal pleaded guilty to first-degree Gang Assault in the Rikers attack and to Attempted
Murder second-degree and second degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon for his underlying
case. He received 10 years in prison for each case, to run concurrently, and five years post release supervision. Walston pleaded guilty to first-degree Gang Assault for the Rikers attack
and Attempted Criminal Possession of a Weapon second-degree for his underlying case, and
received five years for the assault and two years for the weapon case, to run concurrently, and
five years post release supervision. Burns pleaded guilty to second-degree Assault and received
three years in prison and three years post-release supervision.
According to the investigation, on February 10, 2018, inside the George Motchan
Detention Center, Espinal began the assault, striking Correction Officer Jean Roston Souffrant,
39, in the head, causing him to fall and strike his head. The other inmates joined in the attack.
CO Souffrant suffered a fractured spinal column and head injury.
District Attorney Clark thanked DOC Investigators Timothy Fries and Anthony
Scomma, DOC Liaison and Investigator Scott Frank, and Captain Vincent Fuca for their
assistance in the case.
