Federal Search at Brooklyn Jail Targets Contraband Following Violence Surge
Federal law enforcement officials conducted a significant search for contraband at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn on Monday, prompted by escalating violence linked to illegal items smuggled into the facility. The Bureau of Prisons clarified that the operation was preplanned and posed no immediate threat, with the investigation involving multiple agencies, including the U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General.
This operation follows recent alarming incidents at the MDC, where nine detainees were charged with multiple murders and ongoing knife fights. The facility has attracted intense scrutiny from city and state authorities, resulting in federal interventions, with some judges choosing not to send defendants there for pretrial detention. High-profile inmates, including Sean “Diddy” Combs, R. Kelly, and Sam Bankman-Fried, are among those held at the facility.
Sources within the jail indicated that inmates were unaware of the impending search, describing a chaotic and rigorous process on Monday morning. Mike Antone, a paralegal with ongoing connections to current detainees, detailed the extensive protocol during the searches, consisting of handcuffing inmates, strip searches, and thorough inspections that could last for several hours.
Contraband issues at MDC have been linked to serious criminal activities, including a December murder-for-hire plot orchestrated via contraband cell phones. Antone claimed that guards had been involved in smuggling phones into the facility for significant profits, contributing to the ongoing violence.
In response to the challenges of managing inmate safety, federal officials have recently increased pay for correction officers, a strategic move to retain staff in light of the pressing issues at the MDC. Base salaries for federal guards have seen significant increases, reflecting efforts to enhance conditions within the facility. The search remains ongoing as authorities work to address security concerns.
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Photo credit gothamist.com
