Colon
Hill
Trail
WHITE PLAINS – Three employees of the state correctional services department have been arrested on charges of illegal activity while working.
Westchester County District Attorney Anthony Scarpino, Jr. said the workers broke the law and jeopardized the community.
“All three took advantage of their position in relation to inmates serving time in the prison and in so doing they compromised the safety and security of other corrections employees, the inmates in their care and all of us living in Westchester County,” Scarpino said.
Ivan Colon, 32, of Staten Island, was charged in a 19-count indictment
in connection with an illegal five-month relationship with an inmate at
the Taconic Correctional Facility, where he worked. The prison is a median
security women’s prison. Colon was indicted on three counts of promoting
prison contraband; five counts of rape; four counts of criminal sexual
act; and seven counts of official misconduct. He is suspended without
pay.
Melissa Hill, 43, a former corrections officer at Sing Sing Correctional Facility is charged with having a romantic relationship with an inmate over a three-month period. She is charged with two counts of official misconduct. She has resigned.
Garth Trail, 61, a former head cook at the Taconic Correctional Facility, was charged with criminal sexual act. It is alleged that he engaged in a sexual act with an inmate in the kitchen area of the prison. He has resigned.
Authorities became aware of the crimes when a cell phone was discovered in possession of an inmate. Scarpino said with smart phone capabilities of being able to take still and video inmates, shift changes could be monitored and other activities that could place staff and other inmates at risk.
