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Former employees of Rikers Island facing charges for smuggling contraband

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Five individuals who were once employed at the Rikers Island jail complex in New York City, along with a detainee, have been slapped with corruption charges for allegedly smuggling contraband into the facility. According to three complaints unsealed in Manhattan federal court on Tuesday, former city correction officers, a Department of Correction employee, and an employee of a department contractor were involved in this illegal activity. The contraband included cellphones, oxycodone, marijuana, fentanyl, and a synthetic drug called K2, and the offenders accepted bribes to facilitate the smuggling operations.

The United States attorney for the Southern District of New York, Damian Williams, stated that the defendants’ actions compromised the safety of inmates and officers at Rikers Island, emphasizing that they engaged in corruption solely for personal gain. The consequences of their illicit activities were severe, as it put both inmates and staff members at risk within the already volatile environment of the jail.

Of the six defendants implicated in the case, five were apprehended on Tuesday, while the sixth was already in state custody. Legal representation for the accused parties has yet to be identified, leaving room for further developments in the legal proceedings.

During the timeframe in which the officers and employees allegedly smuggled drugs into Rikers, visitations at the facility had been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this, there was a significant surge in drug overdoses within the city’s jail system. Data from Correctional Health Services revealed that in 2021, there were 113 drug overdoses in city jails necessitating a 911 call, marking a 55% increase from the previous year. Furthermore, in 2022, five out of 19 individuals who died in the jails or shortly after release had succumbed to drug overdoses.

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One of the complaints detailed an incident where Carlos Rivera, a correction officer at the time, colluded with associates of a detainee to smuggle contraband into the jail. Rivera allegedly received bribes via a mobile payment service and was subsequently charged with conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud and conspiracy to distribute narcotics and controlled substances, offenses that carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

In another scenario outlined in the complaints, former correction officer Chantal de los Santos conspired with inmates to bribe a correction program counselor, Shanequa Washington, to smuggle contraband into the facility. De los Santos provided Washington with sheets believed to be infused with controlled substances, which were then distributed among inmates. Financial transactions totaling thousands of dollars were traced back to Washington, implicating her in the illicit activities.

The legal repercussions extended to other individuals involved in the contraband smuggling operation, including Kenneth Webster, an employee of a contractor servicing Rikers Island. All parties were charged with various offenses related to bribery, wire fraud, and distribution of illegal substances, highlighting the extent of the corruption within the jail complex.

Following the unsealing of the complaints, the New York City Department of Investigation issued several recommendations to improve security measures at Rikers Island. These recommendations included implementing canine units at the staff entrance to screen for drugs and considering external law enforcement or contracted staff for front gate duties.

The unveiling of these corruption charges comes at a tumultuous time for Rikers Island, as efforts to address systemic issues and close the troubled jail complex have been underway. Recent settlements reached by the city in lawsuits related to negligence and misconduct further underscore the urgent need for reform within the correctional system.

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As the legal proceedings unfold and the implications of these charges reverberate throughout Rikers Island, the spotlight remains on the pressing need for accountability and transparency in the administration of justice within correctional institutions.

Jan Ransom contributed to this reporting with meticulous detail and insightful analysis. Her contribution to this article sheds light on the complexities surrounding the case and underscores the critical importance of investigative journalism in uncovering instances of corruption and malfeasance within our criminal justice system.

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Is now the right time to invest in gold as prices have cooled?

Now may be the time to buy gold following a recent lull in its price.

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The price of gold has climbed to record highs recently and has remained strong through much of April. And, that growth continued until the precious metal traded at around $2,390 per ounce on April 19, 2024. But since, growth in the price of the precious metal has cooled, with gold’s price now hovering around $2,300 per ounce.

This lull in gold’s price may represent an investment opportunity.

In general, investing is centered around buying assets when prices are low and selling them when prices are high – generating a profit on the difference between the two. So, considering the declines in gold’s price over the past few days, now may be the time to make your investment. But is buying gold during this lull in prices really a good idea?

Compare your gold investment options among leading brokers now.

Gold prices have cooled. Should you buy in now?

With gold’s price down from recent highs, you may be wondering if now is the right time to buy in. There are several reasons the dip in gold’s price may represent an opportunity to buy. Here are some of the biggest:

Prices may rise again

If looking at a gold price chart shows anything for certain, it shows that changes in the overall growth of the medal come in fits and spurts. Periods of price growth are typically followed by periods of declines and vice versa.

But with inflation rising in recent months – and with gold’s reputation as a safe-haven asset that can hedge against inflation – it only makes sense that the price of the precious metal will eventually start to head up again in the future. While attempting to time that directional change may be tricky, buying the precious metal while the price is down gives you the opportunity to take advantage of any upward movement that may be ahead.

Add gold to your portfolio now before prices have a chance to rise.

You may be able to make a quick profit

Gold isn’t known as an asset in which you can earn a quick return, but in today’s market, that may be the case. Don’t forget that in January, gold was trading at just $2,000 per ounce. And, by mid-April, the commodity’s price had climbed to around $2,400 per ounce. That’s about 20% growth in a matter of months, much of which happened since March 1 – an impressive climb for any investment asset.

Perhaps more importantly, gold’s price growth through the beginning of 2024 shows that the commodity doesn’t have to be a buy and hold style investment that you keep in a safety deposit box or precious metal depository for years to come. There’s also the possibility that the commodity’s price could climb further ahead, making it a compelling way to potentially generate a quick profit.

There are other benefits of investing in gold

There are other benefits of investing in gold that have little to do with the price growth seen thus far in 2024 – or the lull in prices seen over the past couple of days. Those benefits include:

Inflation protection: Gold has long been considered an inflation hedge, and for good reason. When inflation drives the prices of consumer goods and services up – and the value of the dollar down – gold’s price tends to rise. So, it could be used to maintain the value of your portfolio during inflationary economic conditions. That’s important in today’s economic environment as stubborn inflation continues to weigh on the value of the dollar.
Portfolio diversification: Gold’s price doesn’t always move in the same pattern that bonds or stocks do. So, mixing a reasonable amount of gold into your portfolio (up to 10% of your portfolio assets) as a diversifier could protect you from losses should one or more of your traditional portfolio assets fall in value. “If you have less than 5% – 10% of your net worth in commodities & FX (forex), you should absolutely consider adding exposure to gold and other precious metals,” says Vijay Marolia, money manager and managing partner at the wealth management firm, Regal Point Capital.

The bottom line

Gold’s price has fallen from recent highs – which may represent an opportunity to tap into growth ahead. However, gold isn’t simply a “buy while it’s low and sell while it’s a high” kind of investment opportunity. The commodity can also protect your portfolio from the stubborn inflation we’ve seen thus far in 2024 while acting as a diversification tool that could increase your risk-adjusted portfolio returns. So, consider adding gold to your portfolio today while it has the potential to grow in value.

Joshua Rodriguez

Joshua Rodriguez is a personal finance and investing writer with a passion for his craft. When he’s not working, he enjoys time with his wife, two kids, two dogs and two ducks.