WHITE PLAINS – A New York State correction Officer and an accomplice were indicted on charges related to smuggling contraband to inmates in Sing Sing Correctional facility in exchange for payments. Westchester County District Attorney Miriam Rocah announced the indictments.
Jose Estevez-Luciano, 33, of Irvington, a correction officer assigned to Sing Sing since 2015, was charged with conspiracy, 13 counts of bribe receiving, 13 counts of promoting prison contraband, and 13 counts of official misconduct. Francis De La Cruz, 24, of Sleepy Hollow, was charged with conspiracy, 13 counts of bribe receiving, and 13 counts of promoting prison contraband.
The indictment alleges that the defendants conspired to smuggle cell phones and other contraband into Sing Sing between October 14, 2021 and August 2, 2023. De La Cruz allegedly would receive the contraband and accept payments from associates of the incarcerated individuals at the direction of Estevez-Luciano, and then De La Cruz would provide the contraband to Estevez-Luciano who would deliver the contraband to the inmates in exchange for the payments.
The prosecutor also alleges that Estevez-Luciano smuggled cell phones and other contraband into the prison and delivered them to prisoners with the agreement to accept payments, including one payment of more than $5,000.
“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 District Attorney Miriam 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.”
Corrections and Community Supervision Acting Commissioner Daniel F. Martuscello said the department “has zero tolerance for misconduct by staff, especially that which jeopardizes the safety of their colleagues, as well as incarcerated individuals and the community at large.”
He said the alleged conduct of the correction officer in this case “is an egregious violation of the oath of office and a gross dereliction of duty.”
The defendants were arrested by the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office and arraigned before Judge Robert Prisco in Westchester County Court after a Westchester County Grand Jury indicted the two men.
