U.S. Attorney Breon S. Peace | U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney Breon S. Peace | U.S. Department of Justice
Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, Fabienne Osias, a former federal correction officer employed by the United States Bureau of Prisons (BOP), pleaded guilty to smuggling cell phone chargers into the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn. The proceeding was held before United States Magistrate Judge Marcia M. Henry. When sentenced, Osias faces up to one year in prison. Osias resigned from the BOP on August 23, 2024.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Ryan T. Geach, Special Agent in Charge, Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General, Northeast Region (DOJ-OIG), announced the arrest and guilty plea.
“The defendant abused her position of trust to smuggle cell phone chargers into the Metropolitan Detention Center,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “Contraband cell phones enable federal inmates to continue committing crimes even while they are in custody at the MDC, which endangers both the jail population and the community at large. This Office will vigorously investigate and prosecute acts of public corruption at the MDC at every level.”
“Contraband, including cell phones, in prisons can be dangerous weapons. The Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General is committed to bringing to justice any Correctional Officer that violates their oath and smuggles contraband into federal prison facilities,” stated DOJ-OIG Special Agent in Charge Geach.
On February 28, 2023, Osias attempted to provide an inmate of the MDC with five Universal Serial Bus (USB) charging cubes and nine USB charging cables used by users of commercial mobile phone services. The Cell Phone Contraband Act of 2010 prohibits unauthorized persons, including inmates, from possessing cell phones in federal prisons.
The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Public Integrity Section. Assistant United States Attorney Sara K. Winik is in charge of the prosecution.
The Defendant:
Fabienne Osias
Age: 40
Brooklyn, New York
E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 24-CR-321 (MMH)
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