NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) – Two men, including a correction officer, were charged with smuggling cell phones and other contraband into a Westchester county prison to sell to inmates, prosecutors said on Thursday.
Jose Estevez-Luciano, 33, a New York State correction officer, and Francis De La Cruz, 24, allegedly smuggled cell phones and other items into the Sing Sing Correctional Facility in Ossining between October 2021 and August 2023, the investigation found.
De La Cruz allegedly received contraband and payments from outside contacts of the inmates, as per instructions from Estevez-Luciano.
The items were then passed on to Estevez-Luciano, who allegedly delivered them to inmates in return for those payments, prosecutors said.
"A correction officer allegedly violated his oath and duty by working with someone outside the facility to create a potentially dangerous environment for the incarcerated population and his fellow officers," said Westchester County District Attorney Miriam E. Rocah. "Our office will continue to work with the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision to investigate and prosecute those who participate in these kinds of schemes."
Both men are being charged with conspiracy, multiple counts of bribe receiving, promoting prison contraband, and official misconduct.
Estevez-Luciano has been part of the Sing Sing staff since 2015.
