Manhattan Jail Guard Accepted Thousands In Bribes: Prosecutors

DOWNTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — A guard at the federal jail in Manhattan was arrested on Thursday after taking thousands of dollars in bribes from inmates, prosecutors said.

The correctional officer, Victor Casado, was arrested Thursday morning after investigators found that he had smuggled contraband like cellphones and alcohol into the Metropolitan Correctional Center in exchange for bribes from federal inmates, authorities said. Geoffrey Berman, the federal prosecutor in Manhattan, announced the charges against Casado on Thursday.

Casado, who has worked at the correctional center since 2012, began accepting bribes in 2016, according to the federal investigation. On multiple occasions, Casado smuggled cellphones, alcohol, over-the-counter medications and food into the facility, Berman's office said. In exchange for the contraband, relatives or associates of the inmates behind bars at the jail would pay Casado in bribes.

An attorney for one inmate at the jail transferred at least $45,000 in exchange for alcohol and cellphones furnished by Casado, prosecutors said. Casado received additional thousands from the relatives and paralegal of a different inmate, according to authorities.

Casado, 35, of the Bronx was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery and to introduce contraband into prison and one count of bribery, among other charges.

Patch was not immediately able to contact his attorney on Thursday afternoon.

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