Two New York City Department of Corrections officers accepted tens of thousands of dollars in bribes to smuggle, including cell phones and drugs, to gang members incarcerated at Rikers Jail, federal prosecutors said Tuesday.
Officers Krystle Burrell and Katrina Patterson were charged in separate complaints by the US Attorney’s Office in Brooklyn and were arrested Tuesday morning. Four other defendants were charged as well as part of the alleged conspiracy.
According to prosecutors, Patterson accepted more than $34,000 in bribes to bring contraband, including drugs, to an alleged gang member. Bloods at Rikers. Separately, they allege Burrell accepted nearly $10,000 in bribes to bring phones to another Rikers inmate and help him sell contraband to others.
Both officers face up to 5 years in prison if convicted. Attorney information was not immediately available.
Prosecutors noted that there is an ongoing investigation by the New York City Police, the Department of Homeland Security and the New York City Department of Investigation into alleged smuggling bribery rings involving corrections officers. .
–
