Ex-Correction Officer Charged with Accepting Bribes to Smuggle Contraband into Rikers Island Jail

An indictment was unsealed today in federal court in Brooklyn, New York, charging Karin Robinson, a former correction officer employed by the New York City Department of Correction (DOC), with conspiracy to violate the Travel Act and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances to an inmate incarcerated at the George R. Vierno Center at Rikers Island (GRVC) between February and June 2019.  The initial appearance of the defendant is scheduled for this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge James R. Cho.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York and Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-In-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the charges.

“The corruption of correction officers undermines the orderly running of the institution and endangers the safety of other incarcerated individuals and Department of Correction personnel,” stated United States Attorney Peace. “We will continue to prosecute those who enrich themselves instead of serving the public and work with our federal and local law enforcement partners to stop the flow of illegal narcotics and other contraband into correctional facilities.”

Mr. Peace thanked the New York City Department of Investigation for their outstanding investigative work on the case.

“As alleged in this indictment, Robinson broke her oath of duty as a correction officer when she agreed to accept bribes and smuggle contraband into the prison system.  The FBI and our law enforcement partners will continue to pursue those who betray the public trust by abusing their authority and bring them to justice as swiftly as possible,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Driscoll.

As set forth in the indictment and other court filings, the defendant was a New York City DOC employee in 2019.  Between February and June of 2019, she received thousands of dollars in bribes from a GRVC inmate.  In exchange for the bribe payments, the defendant agreed to bring marijuana and other contraband into the GRVC for sale and distribution to other inmates.   

The charges in the indictment are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.  If convicted, Robinson faces a maximum jail time of 10 years.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Public Integrity Section.  Assistant United States Attorneys Laura Zuckerwise, Joy Lurinsky, and Andrew D. Reich are in charge of the prosecution with the assistance of Paralegal Specialist Rachel Friedman.

The Defendant:

KARIN ROBINSON 
Age:  29
Queens, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 22-CR-555 (AMD)