6 people accused of smuggling, accepting bribes at Rikers Island: court documents

NEW YORK (PIX11) -- Six people have been charged with corruption at New York City's infamous jail, Rikers Island, according to the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Damian Williams.

Court documents said that three former correction officers, one program counselor, a contractor and an inmate are all facing federal charges, according to officials.

Former Rikers Island Correction Officer Carlos Rivera, 27, is accused of accepting bribes from an inmate and smuggling in items like oxycodone and marijuana into the jail from December 2021 through February 2022, according to officials.

Rivera would allegedly meet with associates of a specific inmate in the Bronx. Court documents said Rivera would get items such as cellphones, oxycodone, marijuana, and cigarettes into the jail while at times being paid through CashApp.

Around Dec. 22, 2021, the inmate Rivera was accused of supplying contraband to had his jail cell searched. Court documents said a cellphone, cellphone charger and a metal rod that was 6 inches long were all found inside a pillowcase. Inside the cellphone were screenshots sent to the inmate associate allegedly of an Instagram account belonging to Rivers. Officials said they believe this is how Rivera and the inmate associate communicated.

Screenshots also allegedly showed the associate telling Rivera to pick up four packs of cigarettes for the name and that he would provide Rivera with marijuana and rolling papers to bring into the jail, according to court documents.

Rivera accepted around $500 via CashApp to help smuggle the contraband into the jail, according to court documents. He is being charged with the following:

• Conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud
• Conspiracy to distribute narcotics and controlled substances

“Rikers Island is less safe, for inmates and officers alike, when corrections officers and others in positions of public trust accept bribes to smuggle contraband. As alleged, the defendants in these cases engaged in corruption for their own enrichment. In our relentless pursuit of justice, we leave no stone unturned, especially within the confines of jails and prisons, where the safety and dignity of all individuals must be safeguarded. We will not tolerate any breach of trust or corruption that jeopardizes the well-being of inmates and staff,” Williams said.

Former Correction Officer Chantal De Los Santos, 30, former Rikers Island program counselor Shanequa Washington, 39, and former Rikers Island contractor Kenneth Webster, 42, are all accused of accepting bribes and smuggling items into Rikers Island, according to officials.

Officials said De Los Santos and Washington smuggled contraband into the jail in return for bribes starting around March 2022.

De Los Santos allegedly gave Washington contraband to give it to an inmate at a DOC facility, according to court documents. Washington allegedly received payments of over $5,000 via CashApp.

Court documents state that De Los Santos and three inmates worked together to bribe Webster. One of the inmates requested De Los Santos give Webster cigarettes, alcohol, cellphones, electronic tablets, and paper sheets that officials believe were soaked in a controlled substance.

Officials said De Los Santos participated between March and June 2022 and is charged with the following:

• One count of conspiracy to commit bribery
• Two counts of conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud

Washington participated from March through April 2022 and is charged with the following:

• Conspiracy to commit bribery
• Conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud

Webster participated from May through June 2022 and is charged with:

• Conspiracy to commit bribery

“These defendants allegedly abused their former positions within the Department of Corrections by accepting bribes from multiple inmates - including one charged along with them - to smuggle contraband, including illicit substances, into several jail facilities on Rikers Island.  This alleged conspiracy permeated Rikers Island, polluting the integrity of the Department and its institutions while jeopardizing the trust in other officials with similar job roles," said FBI Assistant Director in Charge James Smith.

Former Correction Officer Stephanie Davila, 30, and inmate Kristopher Francisco, 29, exchanged bribes from July 2021 through August 2021, according to officials. Davila and Francisco bribed another correction officer into smuggling items like fentanyl, marijuana, and synthetic cannabinoids into the jail.

Court documents said that Davila collected over $5,000 in cash bribes. Court documents also showed that Francisco allegedly had Davila in his cellphone as "wifey." Multiple pictures of Francisco on a video call with Davila and Francisco posing with contraband were allegedly found on a cellphone located in his cell.

Davila and Francisco are both charged with the following:

• Conspiracy to commit bribery
• Conspiracy to commit honest services wire fraud
• Conspiracy to distribute narcotics and controlled substances