Three Corrections Officers Arrested In Westchester, One For Rape
Westchester NY May 6 2018 Three corrections workers in Westchester are facing charges – including a prison guard who is accused of multiple counts of rape – officials announced at a press conference on Thursday in White Plains.
Iran Colon, 31, Garth Trail, 61, and Melissa Hill, 43, all employed by the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision are each facing charges stemming from three separate incidents, said Westchester County District Attorney Anthony Scarpino, Jr.
Colon, a guard a guard at the Taconic Correctional Facility in Bedford Hills, has been arraigned on a 19-count indictment and is charged with seven counts of official misconduct, a misdemeanor, and five counts of third-degree rape, four counts of criminal sexual act and three counts of first-degree promoting prison contraband, all felonies.
He’s been released on bail and is due back in Westchester County Court on May 22 to answer the charges. He’s also been suspended without pay.
Trail, a former head cook at the Taconic Correctional Facility, is facing a charge of criminal sexual act after stemming from an incident with an inmate on Sept. 27 last year in the kitchen area of the jail. He was released on his own recognizance and is due back in Bedford Town Court on May 15. Trail previously resigned his position on Sept. 30 last year.
Hill, a former corrections officer, has been charged with two counts of official misconduct after engaging in a romantic relationship with an inmate from Nov. 19 last year to Jan. 30 this year while employed at Sing Sing Correctional Facility. She was also released on her own recognizance and is due to appear in Ossining Town Court on May 15. She recently resigned from her position on April 16.
“The Westchester County District Attorney continues to work with DOCCS Office of Special Investigations in this continuing investigation into criminal activity within the correction facilities in Westchester County,” Scarpino said in a statement. “Any inappropriate action between an inmate and a corrections employee can damage the safety and security of prisoners, corrections employees and the greater community.”
“These latest arrests are thanks to successful investigations by the Department’s Office of Special Investigations, and our on-going partnerships with the Westchester County District Attorney and New York State Police,” DOCCS Acting Commissioner Anthony Annucci added. “We have zero tolerance for any criminal activity within our facilities. These actions should prove to be a stern warning to others who may be considering similar shameful and illegal activities.”
