A trio of Rikers Island correction officers allegedly confused their positions of power with having kingpin status and have been charged with a bevy of crimes.
Divine Rahming, Steven Dominguez and Deleon Gifth have been arrested and indicted on charges of drug trafficking, smuggling contraband, and bribery. Gifth was indicted on July 28 for being accused of arranging a friend sneak oxycodone into the facility in February. He eventually resigned in April. Rahming and Dominguez were arrested on June 23 with more than eight ounces of cocaine and some grams of marijuana allegedly in their possession, wrapped in foil.
According to Gothamist, the Special Narcotics Prosecutor for the City of New York issued out a statement validating the charges. Their investigation also alludes to Gifth working separately from the other two men.
James T. Hayes Jr., Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations, blasted the officers saying, “Corrections officers hold the public’s trust and must be held to the highest standards expected of law enforcement officers. Instead, these three officers abused their positions and smeared their badges by collaborating with inmates and others to operate a for-profit operation aimed at smuggling narcotics and dangerous goods into the facilities they swore to protect.”
The investigation–dubbed “Operation Correction Connection”–is also seeking to either remove or demote four more officers, including an overseeing captain, for allegedly turning a blind eye to the crimes.
Thumb through the pages below to see the pics of the officers who were accused of charges stated above.
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Photo: YouTube
