Bureau of Prisons Lieutenant Convicted of Sexually Abusing Female Inmates at Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn

Defendant Used Physical Force and Intimidation to Compel Victims to Engage in Sexual Acts with Him

Earlier today, a federal jury in Brooklyn returned a guilty verdict against Eugenio Perez, a federal correctional officer employed by the United States Bureau of Prisons, on charges of deprivation of civil rights, aggravated sexual abuse, sexual abuse, sexual abuse of a ward, attempted sexual abuse of a ward and abusive sexual contact.  The 23-count indictment covered sexual abuse by Perez of five women who were inmates at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) where the defendant was a lieutenant.  The verdict followed a two-week trial before United States District Judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto.  When sentenced, Perez faces a maximum sentence of up to life in prison.

Richard P. Donoghue, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Ronald G. Gardella, Special Agent-in-Charge, United States Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General, New York Field Office (OIG), and William F. Sweeney, Jr., Assistant Director-in-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the verdict.

“Perez was a calculating predator who brazenly abused the authority of his position and betrayed his oath as a correctional officer when he sexually abused women under his control and entrusted to his care,” stated United States Attorney Donoghue.  “Today’s verdict sends a strong message that this Office, together with our law enforcement partners in the Department of Justice, will aggressively investigate corrupt officers like Perez who commit sex crimes in correctional institutions, using fear and intimidation to try to silence their victims.  We hope that today’s verdict brings some measure of closure and justice to the victims of Perez’s crimes.”

“Today’s verdict is a testament to the courage of the victims who came forward to ensure that justice was served,” stated OIG Special Agent-in-Charge Gardella.  “It sends a powerful message that no correctional officer is above the law.  The OIG takes allegations of abuse and civil rights violations seriously and we will continue to vigorously investigate those who, like Perez, abuse their power.”

“Perez violated the civil rights of several women who reasonably believed he could adversely exercise disciplinary authority over them should they not obey his demands,” stated FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Sweeney.  “Sexual abuse—in any form or fashion—is an inexcusable crime, especially when it involves such disgraceful behavior committed by a federal employee.”

The evidence at trial established that over a three-year period between January 2013 and September 2016, Perez used his position as a lieutenant at the MDC to engage in sexual acts and contact with five female inmates under his supervisory and disciplinary authority.  The victims, identified in the indictment as “Jane Doe #1” through “Jane Doe #5,” testified that Perez lured them into isolated situations by arranging for them to clean the lieutenants’ office area at night.  Their testimony and other evidence at trial proved that Perez used physical force and intimidation to compel the victims to engage in various sexual acts with him, including oral sex, and used his authority over them to ensure that they did not report the abuse.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s Public Integrity Section.  Assistant United States Attorneys Nadia I. Shihata and Taryn A. Merkl are in charge of the prosecution. 

The Defendant:

EUGENIO PEREZ

Age:  47

Residence: Brooklyn, New York