Prosecutors in New York have exposed how dishonest policemen smuggle drugs into a notorious prison in the city.
According to federal authorities, two New York City correction officers, also known as prison guards, delivered illicit cellphones and drugs to Bloods gang members on Rikers Island in exchange for thousands of dollars in bribes.
According to the FBI, Krystle Burrell, 35, and Katrina Patterson, 31, were detained on April 5 after conducting separate conspiracies involving different Rikers cells.
Patterson received more than $30,000 from Imani Matthews, 25, and Ashley Medina, 24, two girlfriends of Michael Ross, a prisoner who was being imprisoned at Rikers Island on criminal weapon possession charges, between October 2020 and March 2021, according to the case’s prosecutors.
Patterson allegedly snuck into Ross with “4 black joints in 1 paper,” urging to Matthews that “it better be wrapped so many times I don’t want to smell it,” according to prosecutors.
According to the feds, on Nov. 10, 2020, detectives found over 50 grams of marijuana in Ross’ cell at the Robert N. Davoren Center on Rikers Island, as well as a contraband cell phone.
Following the discovery, Ross was placed in solitary prison, while Patterson was terrified.
“Call me, I need to see you right away. Did he trash the phone? They found it and mad marijuana… they have the phone.” In a message to Medina, Patterson wrote, “I hope he deleted everything.”
Patterson planned to resume transporting contraband only 15 days after the bust in Ross’ cell, according to authorities.
On Nov. 25, she texted Matthews, saying, “Tell him tomorrow if he ready to get back to business let me know.”
Patterson was caught on video smuggling in bags of what prosecutors say were narcotics to inmates associated with Ross, according to the feds. Matthews and Medina paid Patterson through a money receiving app called CashApp, and Patterson was caught on video smuggling in bags of what prosecutors say were narcotics to inmates associated with Ross, according to the feds.
Meanwhile, Burrell, the other cop, allegedly smuggled for Terrae Hinds, a 28-year-old Bloods gang member.
The officials claim that Burrell, a Department of Corrections veteran, smuggled Hinds two smartphones, one of which had previously belonged to her.
While incarcerated in the Anna M. Kross Center, Burrell is accused of assisting Hinds in the distribution of narcotics.
In the case, Mattthews, Medina, Ross, and Hinds have also been charged with bribery conspiracy. Each of the six offenders faces a maximum sentence of five years in jail.
The claims against Patterson and Burrell were “disturbing,” according to New York City Correction Commissioner Louis Molina, who also warned that transporting contraband is unlawful and “puts everyone in our facilities at danger.”
“These officers will be terminated and their shield numbers will never be worn again if they are proved guilty,” Molina stated.