Rikers Officer Indicted For Smuggling $15K In Cigarettes Into Jail: DA

NEW YORK CITY — A city Corrections officer has been indicted for smuggling more than $15,000 worth of contraband into Rikers Island.

Kendell Felix, 37, is accused of allegedly accepting a $3,000 bribe in exchange for providing contraband. Felix provided 200 cigarettes and a cell phone in exchange for $3,000, prosecutors said.

The estimated value of the contraband in prison is about $15,000, the DA’s Office said.

The 27-year-old was assigned to the North Infirmary Command and has been charged with third-degree bribe receiving, first-degree promoting prison contraband, two counts of second-degree promoting prison contraband and official misconduct, prosecutors said.

"Cigarettes are sold for $50 to $100 each in Rikers Island jails, making this contraband extremely valuable, and a fuel for violence,” Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark said in a statement.

“The Correction Officer allegedly committed activity that contributes to crime in the jail.”

Felix is due back in court on Dec. 4, according to prosecutors.

“This individual put his own interests above the safety of the people in custody, DOC employees, and visitors,” Department of Correction Commissioner Lynelle Maginley-Liddie said in a statement.

“Our jails become less safe when correction officers accept bribes to smuggle in contraband. We commend the Office of the Bronx District Attorney for working with our department to ensure this individual is brought to justice."