Six female correction officers have been charged with illegally strip searching women visiting the Manhattan Detention Center, prosecutors announced on Monday.
The Manhattan District Attorney's office identified the suspects as:
--Leslie-Ann Absalom, a 53-year-old retired captain
--Officer Daphne Farmer, 49
--Officer Jennifer George, 32
--Officer Lisette Rodriguez, 51
--Officer Alifa Waiters, 45
--Officer Latoya Shuford, 36
They are charged with official misconduct, conspiracy and various counts of filing false documents.
According to court documents, the defendants routinely strip searched female visitors who did not voluntarily consent to a search, forcing them to remove their clothes and subjecting them to physical touching in private areas.
Investigators said the officers then covered up the crime by filing false paperwork.
Officials said that paperwork led to the arrest of three visitors, whose charges were based on the illegal searches.
"People visiting loved ones in our city's jails should feel safe, period," DOC Deputy Commissioner of Public Information Peter Thorne said. "If these allegations are proven true, the officers involved face termination. They have already been suspended."
The DOC says strip searches and body cavity searches of visitors are not permitted, only pat frisks with signed consent forms that must be conducted in the presence of a supervisor.
6 female correction officers charged with illegal strip searches
Six female correction officers have been charged with illegally strip searching women visiting the Manhattan Detention Center, prosecutors announced on Monday.
abc7ny.com