The pal of a corrupt MDC Brooklyn guard helped the now-convicted former correction officer acquire bribe cash to sneak pot into the federal jail, prosecutors allege.
Arabia Ritchie, 43, of the Bronx, was busted this week on prices she conspired with former guard Najee Jackson to smuggle contraband into the Sundown Park jail.
After Jackson was arrested in January, Ritchie went to his Brooklyn Federal Court docket arraignment and signed a $10,000 bond for Jackson’s launch, telling the courtroom they’d been associates for about 12 years, in line with courtroom paperwork. However investigators realized they have been additionally companions in crime, the feds allege.
Jackson, 32, was caught making an attempt to sneak vacuum-sealed packages of pot and cigarettes inside his protecting vest on Jan. 21. When the feds raided his condo on Jan. 29, they received a maintain of his cellphone — which had incriminating WhatsApp exchanges between him and somebody named “A. R.,” in line with a legal grievance.
A. R., telephone information would present, was Arabia Ritchie, in line with the feds
“By the best way no one despatched something to me for you,” she messaged Jackson on Jan. 6, and he responded, “It’s not time.” Ritchie replied, “Understood.”
The feds dug into Ritchie’s accounts and located she obtained a number of funds by way of Apple Pay, from 5 individuals who have been both linked to MDC inmates or had been locked up within the jail up to now, the feds allege.
“I’ve 5k to this point in funds. Selecting up the package deal tomorrow within the Bronx,” she messaged Jackson on Jan. 16, simply 5 days earlier than his ill-fated try and smuggle in medication, the feds allege. Extra funds adopted, and on Jan. 18, Ritchie despatched $1,500 to Jackson by way of Zelle, labeling the transaction, “Nana Birthday Get together,” the feds allege.
Ritchie was arraigned in Brooklyn Federal Court docket Tuesday and freed on $10,000 bond. Her lawyer, Sarah Sacks, declined remark Thursday.
Jackson, who stop his job after his Jan. 29 arrest, pleaded responsible in Brooklyn Federal Court docket in July to tried provision of contraband in jail. He might withstand six months behind bars based mostly on federal sentencing pointers when he’s sentenced on Dec. 17, although his lawyer is asking for probation.
Federal prosecutors unsuccessfully requested for a 45-day delay in his sentencing so they might tackle new particulars stemming from the case towards Ritchie.
Contraband is a daily drawback on the troubled federal jail, which is infamous for violent incidents, together with two murders final yr, in addition to situations of medical mistreatment, a near-constant lockdown and vermin-infested meals.
