NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — A Brooklyn federal court convicted a 45-year-old man on Thursday for bribing Rikers Island corrections officers to smuggle drugs into the prison for sale to other inmates.
Between February and June 2019, James Albert sold cannabis and suboxone strips to fellow inmates, who would in turn give money to Albert’s wife via the money transfer service Cash App.
Suboxone strips are used to treat dependence on opioids. They contain buprenorphine and naloxone, two drugs that can lessen the symptoms of opiate withdrawal and help break dependence.
When used above the dosages prescribed to treat withdrawal, they can induce a high that is similar to opiates but much more mild.
A former corrections officer who accepted bribes from Albert pleaded guilty to participating in the scheme and testified against him.
Legerme pleaded guilty to accepting the bribes and is currently awaiting sentencing.
The state also used evidence from recorded phone calls in which “Oakland Raider jerseys” meant cannabis, “oranges” were suboxone strips and “pink panties” referred to a correction officer.
“Today’s verdict holds the defendant accountable for conspiring with corrupt correction officers to facilitate his lucrative drug-selling business from which he generated tens of thousands of dollars from his Rikers Island jail cell,” said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace. “Such lawless conduct by the defendant and his co-conspirators undermines the orderly running of the institution and endangers the safety of other incarcerated individuals and Department of Correction personnel.”
Albert was convicted of conspiracy to violate the Travel Act and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances.
When sentenced, he faces up to 15 years in prison.
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