U.S. Attorney Damian Williams | U.S. Department of Justice
U.S. Attorney Damian Williams | U.S. Department of Justice
Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced charges against Ghislaine Barrientos for her alleged involvement in a scheme to smuggle narcotics into Rikers Island. Barrientos, a former corrections officer, faces accusations of conspiracy to commit honest services fraud, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, and making false statements.
Williams stated, "Rikers Island is less safe, for inmates and officers alike, when corrections officers and others in positions of public trust accept bribes to smuggle contraband." He emphasized the commitment to ensuring safety within jails and prisons.
Jocelyn E. Strauber, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation (DOI), highlighted the destabilizing effect of contraband trade on city jails. She remarked that Barrientos "ignored her obligations and violated the trust the City placed in her" by allegedly accepting bribes to smuggle narcotics into Rikers Island facilities.
According to allegations in the complaint, Barrientos conspired with others to bring cocaine, synthetic cannabinoids known as K2, and food into Rikers Island's Robert N. Davoren Complex. In exchange for these actions, she reportedly received thousands of dollars in bribe payments.
On April 11, 2024, an associate identified as CC-1 allegedly coordinated with Barrientos regarding a package delivery. Surveillance footage later captured Barrientos entering an inmate's cell. A subsequent search revealed sheets testing positive for cocaine.
Further allegations describe another package sent by CC-1 on April 24, 2024. A drug-detecting canine alerted authorities upon Barrientos' arrival at work that day. Searches uncovered sheets testing positive for K2 and $2,466 in cash found in her vehicle.
Barrientos faces charges carrying potential maximum sentences of up to 20 years each for conspiracy counts and five years for false statements. The case is being managed by the Public Corruption and Narcotics Units under Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jeffrey Coyle and Sheb Swett.
The charges remain accusations until proven otherwise in court.
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