The Justice Department has announced charges in five cases related to violent incidents at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn. The charges include the murders of Uriel Whyte and Edwin Cordero, an attempted murder, and two assaults that occurred between April and August of this year. All defendants were already detained at MDC on other charges.
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco stated, "Today’s charges demonstrate the Justice Department’s commitment to rooting out violence and criminal behavior at federal detention facilities — a critical component of our work to improve conditions across the Federal Bureau of Prisons."
U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York emphasized, "Violence will not be tolerated in our federal jails... Let these charges serve as a warning to those who would continue their criminal conduct behind bars, and anyone else who facilitates those crimes: your conduct will be exposed, and you will be held accountable."
Assistant Director James E. Dennehy of the FBI New York Field Office added, "Several inmates of Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center allegedly orchestrated a series of distinct violent assaults, including the murders of fellow inmates, Uriel Whyte and Edwin Cordero... May today’s indictments reflect the FBI’s determination to apprehend violent criminals, regardless of where the incidents may occur."
In United States v. Simpson and Thomas (24-CR-360), Andrew Simpson and Devone Thomas were indicted for their roles in Whyte's murder on June 7. After a dispute with Whyte, they attacked him with makeshift weapons inside their cell. Despite seeking medical aid after escaping the cell, Whyte succumbed to his injuries.
In United States v. Aziz, Bazemore, and Santiago (24-CR-380), Jamaul Aziz, James Bazemore, and Alberto Santiago were charged with four crimes related to Cordero's murder on July 17. Following an altercation earlier that day, they cornered Cordero and repeatedly stabbed him until staff intervened but could not save him.
In United States v. Luis Rivas (24-CR-390), Rivas was indicted for attempted murder on April 27 when he attacked another inmate with help from two MS-13 members.
In United States v. Bruce Silva and Hassan Elliott (24-MJ-556), Silva and Elliott were charged with assaulting another inmate on August 27 using makeshift weapons.
Lastly, in United States v. Leury Mojica (24-MJ-559), Mojica was charged with assaulting a corrections officer on August 24 after being offered breakfast.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the Federal Bureau of Prisons assisted in these investigations.
An indictment or criminal complaint is merely an allegation; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
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