Rikers correctional officers cuffed for smuggling
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Two correctional officers, including one from Queens, were arrested this week for allegedly helping to smuggle contraband into Rikers Island for incarcerated people, federal prosecutors announced Tuesday. AP file photo by Bebeto Matthews
By Jacob Kaye
Two correctional officers working on Rikers Island, including one from Queens, were arrested this week after they allegedly spent months helping to smuggle drugs and other banned items into the jail complex.
Krystle Burrell, from Lawrence, New York, and Katrina Patterson, from Jamaica, were both arrested and arraigned in federal court this week after they allegedly, in two separate incidents, helped to smuggle contraband into Rikers Island in exchange for thousands of dollars in cash. In Burrell’s case, the correctional officer allegedly was bringing in cell phones to allow gang members to sell drugs throughout the jail complex, according to federal prosecutors.
“The defendants, public servants on the city’s payroll, allegedly smuggled contraband, including cell phones and drugs, to incarcerated gang members at Rikers Island. The flow of contraband into our jails is a serious problem which puts inmates, fellow officers and potentially the public at risk,” United States Attorney Breon Peace said in a statement. “We will continue to root out corruption at Rikers Island and work to protect incarcerated individuals and correction officers in our jails.”
The arrests were part of a larger federal investigation into drug trafficking and gangs within Rikers Island, which has seen a spike in violence in the past year.
Burrell and Patterson were among six people charged on drug trafficking, bribery and other charges Tuesday.
The corrections officers, both of whom started the job in June 2016, have been suspended without pay, according to a Department of Correction spokesperson.
In a statement to the Eagle, DOC Commissioner Louis Molina called the allegations “extremely disturbing.”
“We are law enforcement officers, and smuggling contraband is not only deplorable and illegal, but it puts everyone in our facilities at risk,” Molina said. “We have zero-tolerance for corruption and it’s paramount as public servants that we are committed to impeccable integrity.”
“If these officers are found guilty they will be terminated and their shield numbers will never be worn again,” he added.
Patterson raked in at least $34,000 in bribes from the family of Michael Ross, who was being held at the Robert N. Davoren Center on Rikers Island, according to the feds. In exchange, Patterson allegedly helped the family get drugs, including “4 black joints,” and a cell phone to Ross while he was incarcerated.
The correctional officer was allegedly seen bringing the contraband to Ross’ cell on surveillance video. Additionally, law enforcement found a text exchange between Patterson and one of Ross’ family members detailing the items she planned to smuggle in.
Burrell, who worked in the Anna M. Kross Center, allegedly helped Terrae Hinds, who is believed to be a member of the Bloods gang, sell drugs throughout the building, and at times let the incarcerated people in Hinds’ housing unit smoke and move around freely after the jail’s curfew.
From June through July 2021, Burrell brought in nearly $10,000 in bribes from Hinds and a number of other incarcerated people, according to the criminal complaint.
Burrell and Hinds were believed to be in a romantic relationship at the time, according to prosecutors. The two were allegedly heard expressing romantic feelings for one another on the jail complex’s phone system, which is recorded and monitored by law enforcement.
If convicted, Burrell and Patterson face up to five years in prison.
Last month, THE CITY reported that drug seizures inside the beleaguered jail increased during the pandemic, when outside visitors were not allowed in.
