Bronx DA: Rikers Captain and C.O. Indicted for Beating Teen

CONFRONTATION IN A CLOSET

Rikers Officers Accused of Beating Teenage Inmate

 

(Bronx, NY – September 4, 2015) – Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson announces the Supreme Court indictment of two Rikers Island correction officers for their parts in an assault on a teenage inmate in December, 2014.

 

Captain MEDZID KOLENOVIC, age 40, an 8-year veteran of the Department of Correction, and 42-year-old Correction Officer JEAN DESTINE, who has been on the job since 2006, were arraigned before Justice Steven Barrett and pled not guilty to the following charges:

 

KOLENOVIC:

Falsifying Business Records in the 1^st Degree (Class E Felony), 2 counts

Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the 1^st Degree (Class E Felony), 2 counts

Falsifying Business Records in the 2^nd Degree (Class A Misdemeanor), 2 counts

Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the 2^nd Degree (Class C Misdemeanor), 2 counts

Official Misconduct (Class A Misdemeanor), 2 counts

Assault in the 3^rd Degree (Class A Misdemeanor)

 

DESTINE:

Falsifying Business Records in the 1^st Degree (Class E Felony)

Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the 1^st Degree (Class E Felony)

Falsifying Business Records in the 2^nd Degree (Class A Misdemeanor)

Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the 2^nd Degree (Class C Misdemeanor)

Official Misconduct (Class A Misdemeanor)

Assault in the 3^rd Degree (Class A Misdemeanor)

 

It’s alleged that on December 9^th, 2014, while working at Rikers’ Robert N. Davoren Center (RNDC), 18-year-old AMBIRORIX CELEDONIO[1] was at a lunch table in the mess hall when he stood up to get a piece of food from a friend at an adjoining table.  It’s further alleged that the inmate and Capt. KOLENOVIC got into a verbal spat, after which time the Captain opened the door to a supply closet and invited CELEDONIO to settle the matter.

 

C.O. DESTINE is accused of following the two into the closet, where there were no security cameras.  When the three emerged, it is alleged that CELEDONIO’s face was bruised and bloodied.

 

In subsequent written reports, according to the indictment, KOLENOVIC and DESTINE claimed that CELEDONIO was the aggressor, and that they used appropriate force in response.  In addition, KOLENOVIC is charged with initially reporting injuries to his hands, yet subsequently filing for Workers Compensation benefits based on alleged injuries to his torso and face.

 

If convicted of the charges, MEDZID KOLENOVIC and JEAN DESTINE face up to four years in prison.   Both defendants surrendered to authorities earlier today and were released on their own recognizance; their adjourn date is October 8th in Part 60, Bronx Supreme Court Hall of Justice, 265 E. 161^st Street, Room 300.

 

The case is being prosecuted by the Bronx D.A. Rackets Bureau Deputy Chief James Goward and Assistant District Attorney Ilya Kharkover.

 

District Attorney Johnson also wishes to thank the following people from the Department of Investigation who assisted in this case: Senior Inspector General Jennifer Sculco, Inspector General Chin Ho Cheng, Investigator Daniel Alejandro and Investigator Cindy Tsui.

 

The charges in this indictment are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

 

 

[1] Alternate spellings have included Ambrorix Celeeomio, Ambriorx Ceelomio, Celedonio and Ambiorix Celedenio.