Former Corrections Officer Sentenced To Prison For Accepting Bribes In Exchange For Smuggling Narcotics Into Rikers Island

Press Release Former Corrections Officer Sentenced To Prison For Accepting Bribes In Exchange For Smuggling Narcotics Into Rikers Island Wednesday, April 16, 2025 Share FacebookLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. XLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. LinkedInLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. Email For Immediate Release U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York Matthew Podolsky, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that GHISLAINE BARRIENTOS, a former corrections officer, was sentenced today to six months in prison, to be followed by six months of home detention, for her participation in a scheme to accept bribes in exchange for smuggling narcotics and other contraband into Rikers Island. BARRIENTOS previously pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Gregory H. Woods, who imposed today’s sentence.Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky said: “Ghislaine Barrientos smuggled drugs and other contraband into Rikers Island in exchange for more than ten thousand dollars in bribes. Barrientos not only abused her position of public trust as a corrections officer, she made Rikers Island less safe for inmates and officers alike. Corrupt corrections officers have no place in our jail facilities, and this Office will continue to work to rid our jails of those who take advantage of their positions to enrich themselves.”As reflected in the Complaint, Information, and statements made in court:BARRIENTOS, a former New York City Department of Correction (“DOC”) correction officer, conspired with others to smuggle contraband, including cocaine, smokeable synthetic cannabinoids (known as “K2”), and food to inmates housed at the Robert N. Davoren Complex on Rikers Island in exchange for thousands of dollars in bribe payments.* * *In addition to the prison sentence, BARRIENTOS, 37, of Mount Vernon, New York, was ordered to forfeit $11,866.Mr. Podolsky praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New York City Department of Investigation.This case is being handled by the Office’s Public Corruption and Narcotics Units. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Coyle is in charge of the prosecution. Contact Nicholas Biase, Shelby Wratchford(212) 637-2600 Updated April 16, 2025 Topic Public Corruption Component USAO - New York, Southern Press Release Number: 25-084

Press Release Former Corrections Officer Sentenced To Prison For Accepting Bribes In Exchange For Smuggling Narcotics Into Rikers Island Wednesday, April 16, 2025 Share FacebookLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. XLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. LinkedInLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the “external link” icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. Email For Immediate Release U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York Matthew Podolsky, the Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that GHISLAINE BARRIENTOS, a former corrections officer, was sentenced today to six months in prison, to be followed by six months of home detention, for her participation in a scheme to accept bribes in exchange for smuggling narcotics and other contraband into Rikers Island. BARRIENTOS previously pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Gregory H. Woods, who imposed today’s sentence.Acting U.S. Attorney Matthew Podolsky said: “Ghislaine Barrientos smuggled drugs and other contraband into Rikers Island in exchange for more than ten thousand dollars in bribes. Barrientos not only abused her position of public trust as a corrections officer, she made Rikers Island less safe for inmates and officers alike. Corrupt corrections officers have no place in our jail facilities, and this Office will continue to work to rid our jails of those who take advantage of their positions to enrich themselves.”As reflected in the Complaint, Information, and statements made in court:BARRIENTOS, a former New York City Department of Correction (“DOC”) correction officer, conspired with others to smuggle contraband, including cocaine, smokeable synthetic cannabinoids (known as “K2”), and food to inmates housed at the Robert N. Davoren Complex on Rikers Island in exchange for thousands of dollars in bribe payments.* * *In addition to the prison sentence, BARRIENTOS, 37, of Mount Vernon, New York, was ordered to forfeit $11,866.Mr. Podolsky praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New York City Department of Investigation.This case is being handled by the Office’s Public Corruption and Narcotics Units. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Coyle is in charge of the prosecution. Contact Nicholas Biase, Shelby Wratchford(212) 637-2600 Updated April 16, 2025 Topic Public Corruption Component USAO - New York, Southern Press Release Number: 25-084