Bronx DA: Rikers COs Face 4 Years in Prison Following Convictions

RIKERS COs HUBERT & RODMAN FACE 4 YEARS IN PRISON

Convictions for Assault on Inmate, Falsifying Reports

Victor Rodman in GRVC A-Corridor

Injured Victor Sanchez being escorted for medical help

(Bronx, NY — October 15, 2015) – Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson announces a guilty verdict in the trial of two Rikers Island correction officers for a July, 2009 incident during which one of the C.O.s assaulted an inmate, causing him to permanently lose his sight in one eye. Both officers also falsified their reports after the incident.

After a two-week-long non-jury trial, Supreme Court Justice Martin Marcus found 52-year-old VICTOR RODMAN guilty of:

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

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

46-year-old MICHELLE HUBERT was convicted of:

Falsifying Business Records in the 1^st Degree (3 counts, Class E Felony)

When they are sentenced on December 15th, both RODMAN and HUBERT face up to four years in prison on each of the counts.

On July 8, 2009, C.O. RODMAN was visiting C.O. HUBERT in the George R. Vierno Center’s Building 19 “bubble,” the control center that sits between two wings of the housing unit.   After a fight broke out between Carlos Sanchez and another inmate, Sanchez found himself alone with Officer Rodman in the vestibule area of Building 19. Rodman struck Sanchez once in the face, causing a broken nose, and permanent loss of vision in his left eye.

Subsequently, RODMAN and HUBERT attempted to cover up the assault as well as Rodman’s presence in the building by claiming in reports that he was not there.  Eyewitness testimony and surveillance video contradicted their accounts.

VICTOR RODMAN, a Correction Officer since 1987, had been suspended without pay, but resigned from his job after being indicted.    MICHELLE HUBERT, who joined the Department of Correction in 2006, was also suspended without pay.

The case against RODMAN and HUBERT was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Peter O. Kennedy, Vladimir Kocheulov, and Ann Lee of the Bronx D.A. Rackets Bureau.

Sanchez’ injuries

The Bronx D.A. wishes to thank the Department of Investigation’s Inspector General Jennifer Sculco, Investigators Rhonda Young and Richard Askin; and Detective Investigators Brian O’Loughlin and John Reilly of the Bronx D.A.’s Detective Investigator Squad, under the supervision of Lt. Rocco Galasso and Chief Frank Chiara.