A former corrections officer at a federal women's prison in California is facing additional charges related to allegations by female inmates that they were subjected to his rampant sexual abuse while incarcerated, dating back to 2016.
Darrell Wayne Smith, who worked at the Federal Correctional Institution in Dublin, was arrested on May 11, 2023, in Florida on a 12-count indictment. At the time, he was accused of sexually abusing three women in his cells and in the prison laundry room between 2019 and 2021, prosecutors said.
The U.S. Justice Department said in a news release Friday that a federal grand jury has returned a superseding indictment now charging Smith with 15 counts of sexual abuse, including civil rights violations against five female victims in his custody and control at the prison.
“As alleged, Officer Darrell Smith engaged in heinous criminal acts when he sexually abused those in his care and custody,” Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said in a statement. “This superseding indictment is the latest result of the Department’s ongoing work to seek justice for victims of sexual assault at FCI Dublin. We remain steadfast in our commitment to root out sexual assault within the BOP and hold accountable those who so flagrantly violate their duty.”
FORMER CALIFORNIA PRISON OFFICER CHARGED WITH SEXUALLY ABUSING THREE FEMALE INMATES
The Federal Correctional Institution is shown in Dublin, California.
The initial indictment against Smith, 55, who now lives in Florida, charged him with 12 counts that allegedly occurred between May 2019 and May 2021. Smith engaged in separate sexual conduct with each of the three inmate victims, the Justice Department said.
The superseding indictment released last week identifies two additional victims and three additional charges, bringing the total number of charges to 15: two for each of the victims, plus a civil rights violation stemming from the aggravated sexual abuse Smith allegedly committed against one of the victims.
The Justice Department said Smith's alleged sexual conduct began in August 2016.
A FEDERAL PRISON WORKER IN CALIFORNIA PLEADS GUILTY TO SEXUALLY ABUSING INMATES
Darrell Wayne Smith served at the Federal Correctional Institution in Dublin, California. (Anda Chu/MediaNews Group/The Mercury News via Getty Images)
“Federal prison guards must treat prisoners humanely,” said U.S. Attorney Ismail Ramsey for the Northern District of California. “The sexual victimization of inmates and the denial of their basic civil rights must end.”
Smith is now charged with six counts of sexual abuse of a minor, seven counts of abusive sexual contact, one count of aggravated sexual abuse and one count of deprivation of rights under color of law.
His arraignment for superseding charges has not yet been scheduled, though trial is currently scheduled to begin on March 17, 2025, in the Northern District of California.
If convicted, Smith faces a maximum penalty of life in prison for each count of aggravated sexual abuse and deprivation of rights under color of law.
US SENATORS DEMAND ANSWERS ON PLAN TO CLOSURE CALIFORNIA WOMEN'S PRISON WHERE INMATES WERE SEXUALLY ABUSED
Smith could face life in prison for each count of aggravated sexual assault. (iStock)
He also faces a statutory maximum penalty of 15 years in prison for each count of sexual abuse of a minor and a maximum penalty of two years in prison for each count of abusive sexual contact.
Smith is at least the sixth Dublin prison employee accused of abusing inmates. An Associated Press investigation last year revealed a culture of abuse and cover-up that had persisted for years at the prison, about 20 miles east of Oakland. That information prompted increased scrutiny from Congress and promises from the Federal Bureau of Prisons that it would fix problems and change the culture at the prison.
Former prison director Ray Garcia was found guilty in December 2022 of sexually abusing inmates and forcing them to pose nude in their cells. He was sentenced to six years in prison.
Since the AP investigation, the Justice Department has moved more aggressively in recent months to prosecute federal prison employees accused of sexually abusing inmates. Deputy Attorney General Monaco and Bureau of Prisons Director Colette Peters visited the Dublin prison in March 2023 and met with advocates working to improve conditions there.
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James Theodore Highhouse, a former Dublin prison chaplain who pleaded guilty to abusing an inmate in his chapel office and lying to authorities, was sentenced in August to seven years in prison. Highhouse is appealing the sentence, arguing it exceeds federal guidelines.
Enrique Chavez, a food service foreman, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 20 months in prison. Ross Klinger, a recycling technician, pleaded guilty but was not sentenced. John Russell Bellhouse, a prison security manager, is due to go on trial soon.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
