Ex-Federal Correction Officer Pleads Guilty to Taking Bribes in Exchange for Smuggling Contraband into the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn

Earlier today, in federal court in Brooklyn, former federal correction officer Jeremy Monk pleaded guilty to receiving bribes in exchange for providing contraband to prison inmates detained at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn.  Today’s proceeding was held before United States Magistrate Judge James R. Cho.  When sentenced, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment.

Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, announced the guilty plea.

“The defendant has admitted to violating his duty as a federal correction officer by taking bribes in exchange for smuggling contraband into the Metropolitan Detention Center, a serious betrayal of his fellow correction officers and staff, incarcerated individuals, and the trust placed in him by the government,” stated United States Attorney Peace.  “This Office is focused on rooting out corruption that threatens the safety and security of our federal and local jails.” 

Mr. Peace expressed his thanks to the Department of Justice, Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office, for their investigative work on the case.

According to court documents and facts presented at the guilty plea proceeding, Monk worked as a correction officer at the MDC from May 2020 until he voluntarily resigned on April 18, 2022.  On multiple occasions, Monk smuggled contraband into the MDC in exchange for bribes.  For example, on December 5, 2020, MDC staff members conducted a search of the cell of an incarcerated individual (Inmate-1) because they suspected that Inmate-1 was in possession of marijuana due to an odor coming from his cell.  Although no marijuana was found, MDC staff recovered a cellular telephone, which is contraband in a federal correctional facility.  Financial records show that three days before MDC staff recovered the cellular telephone, the romantic partner of Inmate-1 attempted to make seven payments to Monk via Cash App in amounts ranging from $750 to $4,000.  All seven transactions were blocked by Cash App.  On April 15, 2022, three days before Monk resigned, MDC staff learned that Monk had agreed to accept $10,000 from inmates in exchange for his smuggling contraband into the MDC and leaving it in a staff restroom.  That afternoon, Monk was observed entering the staff restroom consistent with the information MDC staff received.  After Monk left the restroom, MDC staff found more than nine ounces of marijuana hidden on a shelf under floor buffing pads. 

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Public Integrity Section.  Assistant United States Attorney Philip Pilmar is in charge of the prosecution.

The Defendant:

JEREMY MONK
Age:  32
Brooklyn, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 22-CR-442