Former Federal Bureau of Prisons Lieutenant Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Sexual Abuse and Violation of Civil Rights Convictions

Earlier today, Eugenio Perez was sentenced before Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto in U.S. District Court in Brooklyn, New York to 25 years’ imprisonment following his convictions on six counts of deprivation of civil rights under color of law, four counts of aggravated sexual abuse, five counts of sexual abuse in a federal prison, six counts of sexual abuse of a ward, one count of attempted sexual abuse of a ward, and one count of abusive sexual contact.  As part of his sentence, Perez is also required to register as a sex offender.  At the time of the offenses, Perez was a federal correctional officer with the rank of Lieutenant employed by the United States Bureau of Prisons (BOP) at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York (MDC).  In January 2017, he was suspended by the BOP after his arrest.  Perez was convicted after a two-week jury trial in May 2018.   

Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Guido Modano, Special Agent-in-Charge, United States Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General, New York Field Office (DOJ OIG), and William F. Sweeney, Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the sentence.

“While serving as a Lieutenant at the MDC, the defendant used force, fear and intimidation to violate his sworn duty and the civil rights of multiple female inmates in his custody through repeated sexual abuse of his victims,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue.  “Today’s sentence appropriately reflects the gravity and seriousness of the defendant’s crimes, and demonstrates our steadfast commitment to hold accountable correctional officers who abuse their positions of authority.” 

“Perez abused his power and took advantage of female inmates under his control and supervision through manipulation and intimidation,” stated DOJ OIG Special Agent-in-Charge Modano.  “He betrayed his duty as an officer of the Department of Justice and used his position of authority to satisfy his own desires by victimizing inmates.  Today’s sentence shows that this kind of abuse will not be tolerated, and those who violate the civil rights of federal inmates, and disgrace the honorable profession of federal correctional officers will sternly be brought to justice.”

 “We are a society governed by law, and we expect and demand that those convicted of crimes receive humane punishment according to the law,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Sweeney.  “Correctional officers have a truly difficult job, and most perform their duties with honor and integrity. Today’s sentencing reflects the accountability we demand of those who hold these positions of power. Sexual abuse in correctional facilities will never be tolerated by the FBI or our law enforcement partners.”

Over a three-year period between January 2013 and September 2016, Perez used his position as an officer at the MDC to engage in sexual acts and contact with five female inmates under his supervisory and disciplinary authority.  The victims, identified in the indictment as “Jane Doe #1” through “Jane Doe #5,” testified that Perez lured them into isolated locations, used physical force and intimidation to compel the victims to engage in  sexual acts with him, including oral sex, and used his authority over them to ensure that they did not report the abuse.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Public Integrity Section.  Assistant United States Attorney Nadia Shihata is in charge of the prosecution.

The Defendant:

EUGENIO PEREZ
Age: 49
Brooklyn, NY

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 17-CR-280 (KAM)