NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — A correction officer on Rikers Island was convicted of sneaking drugs and contraband into his unit claiming he did so in hopes of a promotion, according to a Manhattan federal court case against him.
Dariel Diaz worked in the jail’s George R. Vierno facility where he smuggled K-2, cigarettes and cellphones to gang members in 2020 as an attempt to “keep the peace” so the ex-officer would have a shot at a promotion. Employed for only two years and still in his probationary period, Diaz claimed in his lawsuit defense that he was desperate for full-time employment.
“The reality at Rikers, where the inmates overwhelmingly outnumber the guards, is that the gangs control every aspect of life on the units,” Diaz’s attorney, Avrom Robin, wrote. “If there were fights, stabbings, and other disturbances in the unit, Diaz would not get approved for full time employment at the jail, a position he was eager to secure.”
Court documents state that Diaz was paid about $8,000 to carry out the smuggling, meeting with gang members outside of the jail to pull it off, going so far as to soak paper in K-2 to get it inside.
The lawsuit also stated that Diaz's claimed he did not have any other staff to turn to for help as he said he thought his superiors would brush off his worries about controlling inmates.
Robin alleged in the lawsuit that Diaz’s superiors were aware of the contraband coming into the jail but chose to turn a blind eye, stating that this behavior from officers is a routine occurrence on the island.
The former officer was arrested in May 2021 and subsequently plead to conspiracy and bribery. His sentencing will be Jan. 27.
1010 WINS reached out to the Department of Correction but did not immediately receive a response.
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