San Juan, Puerto Rico –Carlos Ernesto Ochoa-Rocafort, Correctional Officer at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Guaynabo, PR, was indicted and arrested for providing contraband in prison, announced U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico, Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez. The FBI is in charge of the investigation in collaboration with the Department of Justice – Office of the Inspector General (DOJ-OIG) and ATF.
Ochoa-Rocafort is facing three counts of providing contraband in prison, one count of bribery of public officials and two counts of sale of ammunition to a prohibited person. The indictment also charges Ochoa-Rocafort along with co-defendant José Guzmán-Marrero for attempting to aid and abet possession with intent to distribute cocaine and possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime.
According to the indictment, in or about November 10 and 11 and December 9, 2016, Ochoa-Rocafort knowingly and intentionally provided and attempted to provide four cellular telephones to an inmate housed at MDC. In exchange he demanded and agreed to receive $2,000. On or about December 2016, Ochoa-Rocafort sold a firearm and ammunition to felons; and participated as an armed escort for what he believed was a multi-kilo transportation of narcotics.
“The defendant was supposed to provide supervision of inmates and enforce the rules and regulations governing MDC and the inmates’ conduct. Instead, he behaved like one of them, and violated federal law,” said U.S. Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez. “This case should send a clear message to those who attempt to smuggle illegal contraband into a federal facility. We will not tolerate these type of activities and will prosecute these offenders to the full extent of the law.”
This case was investigated by the FBI with the collaboration of the Department of Justice-Office of the Inspector General and ATF and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Seth Erbe.
The maximum penalties for these offenses are: one year for providing cellular phones to inmates, 15 years for bribery, 10 years for selling ammunition and gun to felon, a mandatory minimum of 10 years on the drug charge, and a mandatory consecutive five-year sentence for carrying firearms in furtherance of a drug transaction.An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until convicted through due process of law.