Six individuals involved in Rikers Island bribery and smuggling operation sentenced to federal prison

New York – A major corruption scandal at Rikers Island has led to the sentencing of six individuals, including former corrections officers, a program counselor, a contractor, and an inmate. Their crimes, which involved smuggling contraband into the notorious jail facility in exchange for hefty bribes, have now been met with prison time.

Matthew Podolsky, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced the sentencing of the defendants, who all pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit honest services wire fraud. The final sentence was handed down today to former corrections officer Stephanie Davila, who received 12 months and a day in prison. The other five defendants had already been sentenced to prison terms ranging from 12 months to 41 months.

A Dangerous Corruption Scheme

The case uncovered a deeply entrenched contraband smuggling operation that compromised the safety and security of Rikers Island. According to court records, the six defendants participated in a scheme that involved sneaking drugs, cell phones, and cigarettes into the jail. In return, they accepted thousands of dollars in bribes.

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Acting U.S. Attorney Podolsky emphasized the severity of the crimes, stating, “The defendants—former Rikers Island employees, a Rikers Island contractor, and an inmate—engaged in corruption on Rikers Island by agreeing to have contraband smuggled into the Rikers Island jail facilities in exchange for tens of thousands of dollars in bribes. The defendants’ crimes contributed to a dangerous contraband market within Rikers Island, making Rikers Island less safe for inmates and officers alike. The sentences imposed in this case demonstrate this Office’s commitment to hold accountable those who criminally abuse their positions of public trust and undermine the security of jails for their own benefit.”

The Players and Their Crimes

Each of the convicted individuals played a role in the smuggling ring, facilitating the transfer of illegal goods for profit. According to official court documents, the smuggling operations took place over multiple years:

• Jason Skeet, a former corrections officer, smuggled contraband into Rikers Island around 100 times between January 2020 and June 2022, receiving over $45,000 in bribes.

• Shanequa Washington, a former program counselor, engaged in smuggling activities between March 2022 and April 2022 in exchange for approximately $13,000.

• Kenneth Webster, a former inmate turned contractor, accepted more than $64,000 for his role in smuggling contraband between May 2022 and September 2022.

• Chantal De Los Santos, a former corrections officer, orchestrated bribe payments and contraband transfers from March 2022 through June 2022, facilitating the smuggling operations of Washington and Webster.

• Stephanie Davila, another former corrections officer, played a key role in July and August 2021 by passing contraband and bribe payments to an unidentified corrections officer, known as CC-1, to ensure the smuggling of goods to inmate Kristopher Francisco.

• Kristopher Francisco, an inmate at the time, directed Davila to make the bribe payments, allowing him to receive and distribute contraband within Rikers Island.

Justice Delivered

Each of the defendants received a prison sentence for their role in the scheme:

• Stephanie Davila (31 years old) – 12 months and a day
• Chantal De Los Santos (31 years old) – 15 months
• Kristopher Francisco (29 years old) – 37 months
• Jason Skeet (47 years old) – 37 months
• Shanequa Washington (40 years old) – 12 months and a day
• Kenneth Webster (43 years old) – 41 months

Wider Implications

The corruption case sheds light on the broader challenges faced by correctional facilities in controlling contraband. The smuggling of illicit substances, mobile phones, and other banned items into Rikers Island has long been a concern for law enforcement. This case underscores the vulnerabilities within the system and highlights the importance of stringent oversight in correctional institutions.

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Authorities have emphasized that such corruption does not only endanger inmates but also puts correctional officers at risk. Contraband can fuel violence, disrupt order, and weaken the overall integrity of jail operations. By bringing those responsible to justice, officials hope to send a clear message that corruption within the prison system will not be tolerated.

The Investigation and Prosecution

The successful prosecution of this case was made possible through the combined efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New York City Department of Investigation. Their rigorous work helped expose the corrupt network and bring those involved to justice.

The case was handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s Public Corruption Unit, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys Adam Z. Margulies and Jonathan Rebold leading the prosecution.

As Rikers Island continues to face scrutiny over security issues, this case stands as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against corruption in correctional institutions. Authorities remain committed to rooting out misconduct and ensuring that those entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining order do not exploit their positions for personal gain.

This sentencing marks a significant step toward restoring integrity within the system and reinforcing the rule of law. As officials continue to monitor Rikers Island, further investigations and reforms may be on the horizon to prevent similar incidents in the future.