Former Rikers Correction Officer Sentenced To More Than Two Years In Prison For Taking Bribes To Smuggle Contraband To Inmates
Rashawn Assanah, a former Rikers Island correction officer, was sentenced to 27 months in prison for accepting over $7,500 in bribes to smuggle contraband like cigarettes, K2, and a weapon into the facility, and later lied to the court with a forged cancer diagnosis to delay sentencing.
Rashawn Assanah pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit federal crimes and one count of federal program bribery for accepting over $7,500 in bribes from inmates between November 2020 and February 2021 to smuggle contraband—including cigarettes, K2, and a weapon—into the Robert N. Davoren Center on Rikers Island. After his guilty plea, he deceived the court by fabricating a terminal cancer diagnosis and submitting a forged doctor’s note in an attempt to adjourn his sentencing. He was sentenced to 27 months in prison, three years of supervised release, ordered to forfeit $7,500, and pay $10,935.60 in restitution to the NYC Department of Correction.
Rashawn Assanah, a 26-year-old former correction officer at Rikers Island, abused his position to accept over $7,500 in cash bribes from inmates between November 2020 and February 2021 in exchange for smuggling contraband such as cigarettes, the synthetic cannabinoid K2, and a weapon into the Robert N. Davoren Center. He pled guilty on October 22, 2021, to one count of conspiracy to commit federal crimes and one count of federal program bribery. In an attempt to delay his sentencing, Assanah falsely claimed to have terminal cancer and submitted a forged medical note from a non-existent doctor, misleading the court. On November 2, 2022, U.S. District Judge Colleen McMahon sentenced him to 27 months in prison, three years of supervised release, a $7,500 forfeiture, and $10,935.60 in restitution to the NYC Department of Correction. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the New York City Department of Investigation led the probe, with the Southern District of New York’s Public Corruption Unit prosecuting the case. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams condemned Assanah’s actions as a grave betrayal of public trust, emphasizing that such corruption would be met with serious consequences. The case underscores the systemic risks posed by insider corruption in correctional facilities and the DOJ’s commitment to holding officers accountable.
Extracted insights
- $18K $18,000 $10K–$100K
- $11K $10,935 $10K–$100K
- $8K $7,500 <$10K
- $8K $7,500 <$10K
- person cash bribes
- person damian williams
- agency fbi and nyc doi work
- person judge colleen mcmahon
- person rashawn assanah
- Rashawn Assanah was sentenced to 27 Months In Prison
- Rashawn Assanah paid $18,000 In Financial Penalties
- Rashawn Assanah took Bribes From Inmates
- Rashawn Assanah pled guilty to Bribery And Conspiracy Charges
- Judge Colleen McMahon imposed Sentence
- Rashawn Assanah violated Oath To Protect Inmates
- Rashawn Assanah accepted Cash Bribes
- Rashawn Assanah abused Position As A Correction Officer
- Rashawn Assanah smuggled Contraband
- Rashawn Assanah lied to The Court
- Rashawn Assanah pled guilty to Conspiracy To Commit Federal Crimes
- Rashawn Assanah must pay $10,935.60 In Restitution
- Damian Williams praised FBI And NYC DOI Work
Press Release Former Rikers Correction Officer Sentenced To More Than Two Years In Prison For Taking Bribes To Smuggle Contraband To Inmates Wednesday, November 2, 2022 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 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that RASHAWN ASSANAH was sentenced today to 27 months in prison and more than $18,000 in financial penalties for taking bribes from inmates to smuggle contraband into a Rikers Island facility. ASSANAH previously was arrested on May 26, 2021, and later pled guilty to bribery and conspiracy charges. United States District Judge Colleen McMahon imposed today’s sentence. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Rashawn Assanah violated his oath to protect inmates in his care when he accepted cash bribes to smuggle dangerous contraband into Rikers Island. That conduct was outrageous and unacceptable. His prison sentence should send a clear message to any correction officer who may be tempted to smuggle contraband to inmates: this is a serious crime that leads to serious jail time.” As reflected in the Indictment, public filings, and statements made in public proceedings: RASHAWN ASSANAH abused his position as a correction officer to smuggle contraband, including cigarettes, K2, and a weapon, into the Robert N. Davoren Center on Rikers Island in return for over $7,500 in bribes from at least in or about November 2020 up through and including in or about February 2021. Following ASSANAH’s guilty plea and before sentencing, and in order to adjourn his sentencing, ASSANAH lied to the court by claiming to have cancer and be undergoing chemotherapy — even submitting a forged note from a doctor who does not exist to substantiate his bogus claims. * * * ASSANAH, 26, of Queens, New York, pled guilty on October 22, 2021, to one count of conspiracy to commit federal crimes and one count of federal program bribery. In addition to his prison term, ASSANAH was sentenced to three years of supervised release, ordered to forfeit $7,500.00, and directed to pay $10,935.60 in restitution to the New York City Department of Correction. Mr. Williams 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 Unit, and Assistant United States Attorneys Marguerite Colson and Jarrod L. Schaeffer are in charge of the prosecution. Contact Nicholas Biase (212) 637-2600 Updated November 2, 2022 Topic Public Corruption Component USAO - New York, Southern Press Release Number: 22-341
Press Release Former Rikers Correction Officer Sentenced To More Than Two Years In Prison For Taking Bribes To Smuggle Contraband To Inmates Wednesday, November 2, 2022 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 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that RASHAWN ASSANAH was sentenced today to 27 months in prison and more than $18,000 in financial penalties for taking bribes from inmates to smuggle contraband into a Rikers Island facility. ASSANAH previously was arrested on May 26, 2021, and later pled guilty to bribery and conspiracy charges. United States District Judge Colleen McMahon imposed today’s sentence. U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Rashawn Assanah violated his oath to protect inmates in his care when he accepted cash bribes to smuggle dangerous contraband into Rikers Island. That conduct was outrageous and unacceptable. His prison sentence should send a clear message to any correction officer who may be tempted to smuggle contraband to inmates: this is a serious crime that leads to serious jail time.” As reflected in the Indictment, public filings, and statements made in public proceedings: RASHAWN ASSANAH abused his position as a correction officer to smuggle contraband, including cigarettes, K2, and a weapon, into the Robert N. Davoren Center on Rikers Island in return for over $7,500 in bribes from at least in or about November 2020 up through and including in or about February 2021. Following ASSANAH’s guilty plea and before sentencing, and in order to adjourn his sentencing, ASSANAH lied to the court by claiming to have cancer and be undergoing chemotherapy — even submitting a forged note from a doctor who does not exist to substantiate his bogus claims. * * * ASSANAH, 26, of Queens, New York, pled guilty on October 22, 2021, to one count of conspiracy to commit federal crimes and one count of federal program bribery. In addition to his prison term, ASSANAH was sentenced to three years of supervised release, ordered to forfeit $7,500.00, and directed to pay $10,935.60 in restitution to the New York City Department of Correction. Mr. Williams 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 Unit, and Assistant United States Attorneys Marguerite Colson and Jarrod L. Schaeffer are in charge of the prosecution. Contact Nicholas Biase (212) 637-2600 Updated November 2, 2022 Topic Public Corruption Component USAO - New York, Southern Press Release Number: 22-341