2 Correction Officers Accused Of Smuggling Drugs Into Rikers Island
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Two New York City correction officers were charged Tuesday with trafficking cocaine and smuggling oxycodone and contraband into the Rikers Island jail complex.
Steven Dominguez and Divine Rahming were arraigned Tuesday in Manhattan on conspiracy, bribery and drug possession charges.
Both pleaded not guilty. Defense attorney Peter Troxler said he believes Dominguez is innocent, while Rahming's lawyer did not returned a call from the Associated Press.
A union spokesman declined comment.
Both defendants have been indicted following their arrests last month. An inmate and his girlfriend are also charged.
Special Narcotics Prosecutor Bridget Brennan said Dominguez and Rahming met with undercover agents multiple times to exchange drugs and money and were heard discussing deals on their cellphones.
The undercover Department of Investigation agents were pretending to be friends and family members of inmates earlier this year, and the defendants allegedly agreed to give them the contraband for between $500 to $900 per transaction, according to a New York Post report.
A former jail guard, Deleon Gifth was arrested Monday in similar case, the newspaper reported.
A Department of Correction spokesman said officials have no tolerance for corruption.
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