Five individuals associated with the Crossroads Juvenile Center in Brooklyn have been charged with serious offenses.
Current New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) employees Da’Vante Bolton, Roger Francis, Christopher Craig and Nigel King, and former ACS employee Octavia Napier, were charged with conspiracy to commit Travel Act bribery. Their initial appearances are scheduled for this afternoon before United States Magistrate Judge Joseph A. Marutollo.
Breon Peace, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Jocelyn E. Strauber, Commissioner, New York City Department of Investigation (DOI) and James Smith, Assistant Director-in-Charge, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the charges.
“As alleged, these so-called ‘Youth Development Specialists’ violated their duty to the City and the residents at Crossroads by smuggling in weapons, drugs, and other contraband in exchange for bribes, placing young people and other staff members at an alarming risk of serious harm,” stated United States Attorney Breon Peace. “Today’s arrests demonstrate that this Office remains committed to rooting out corruption and cleaning up our city’s jails and juvenile detention facilities.”
“These five defendants, each Youth Development Specialists at the Crossroads Juvenile Center, are alleged to have repeatedly smuggled dangerous contraband into the facility in exchange for bribes. Youth development specialists are entrusted to help troubled youth get back on the right path, instead these individuals allegedly strayed themselves, placing personal gain above the safety and rehabilitation of the juveniles under their watch. The arrests today highlight the FBI’s continued dedication to eradicating public corruption and holding those responsible accountable in the criminal justice system,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge James Smith.
Crossroads houses approximately 120 residents, ranging from ages 14 to 20. Residents are prohibited from possessing narcotics, cell phones, cigarettes, weapons, and alcohol, among other items. ACS employees at Crossroads are trained to confiscate any contraband they find and must notify a supervisor if any contraband is discovered. Despite stringent rules and trained staff, contraband inevitably filters in. A significant amount of contraband has recently been recovered from Crossroads residents. Between approximately March 2022 and May 2024, at least 75 cell phones and more than 340 scalpels or blades were recovered from the facility, as well as narcotics and tobacco.
The smuggling of such dangerous materials into a juvenile detention center not only undermines the institution’s rehabilitative purpose, but could potentially escalate violence within its walls. The seriousness of these allegations is underscored by the swift legal actions taken against the accused individuals.
The arrest of the accused at the Crossroads Juvenile Center in Brooklyn was the result of a concerted effort by various agencies. The investigation, which was prompted in part by information reported to the New York City Department of Investigation (DOI) by the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), led to the uncovering of the bribery scheme. The collaboration between the DOI, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was instrumental in the arrests. This case highlights the importance of vigilance and inter-agency cooperation in maintaining the integrity of institutions responsible for the welfare of young individuals.
