GRAND JURY CHARGES NEW YORK CITY CORRECTION OFFICER WITH THE FORCIBLE RAPE OF A FEMALE INMATE AT THE RIKERS ISLAND JAIL

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today that a New York City Correction Officer has been indicted on charges that he allegedly forcibly raped a female inmate and tampered with a logbook in order to cover up his whereabouts at the time of the crime.

The grand jury indicted Jerome Reyes, 33, of Queens, on charges of Rape in the first degree, Rape in the third degree, Sexual Abuse in the first degree, Falsifying business records in the first degree, Falsifying business records in the second degree, Tampering with public records in the first degree and Offering a false instrument for filing in the first degree. The most serious charge, Rape in the first degree, is a Class B felony offense punishable by a maximum sentence of up to 25 years in prison.

Reyes is to be arraigned on the indictment in State Supreme Court, Part A, on Friday, October 31, 2003. He was arrested on September 26, 2003 and released after posting a $25,000 bond.

Reyes is alleged to have raped a thirty three year old female inmate in her cell at the Rose M. Singer Detention Center for Women at the City jail on Rikers Island on August 15, 2003.

It is also alleged that Reyes falsified information on official New York City Department of Correction business records indicating that he was at a different location during the incident.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Rachel Singer of the Sex Offense Bureau.