CORRECTION OFFICER CONVICTED OF TAKING A BRIBE AND ATTEMPTING TO SELL NARCOTICS TO AN INMATE AT THE CITY JAIL ON RIKERS ISLAND

Bronx District Attorney Robert T. Johnson announced today that a 38 year old New York City Correction Officer has been convicted of bribe receiving and the attempted sale of narcotics to an inmate at a detention facility on Rikers Island.

Gary Heyward, of Manhattan, pled guilty to one count of Bribe Receiving in the 3rd degree, a Class D felony offense, and one count of Attempted Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the 3rd degree, a Class C felony offense. Under terms of the plea agreement, will be sentenced to a term of two years imprisonment and one year of post release supervision on the drug conviction. Heyward is also to receive a concurrent sentence of one year imprisonment on the bribe receiving charge. Heyward is scheduled to appear for sentencing before Acting State Supreme Court Justice John Byrne in Part A on Monday, May 22, 2006.

Heyward admitted that on January 21, 2006 he accepted a $500 payment to smuggle a cellular telephone to an inmate at the George Motchen Detention Center. Heyward followed through and delivered the cellular telephone the next day on January 22nd. Two days later on January 24, 2006, he accepted a cash payment of $1,000 and took possession of a bag containing a white powdery substance that he believed to be more than half an ounce of cocaine. The bag of simulated cocaine was delivered to an inmate at the George Mochen Detention Center on January 27, 2006.

Heyward was arrested on April 26, 2006 following an investigation by the New York City Department of Investigation. During the sting, Heyward was approached by an undercover agent who pretended to be the girlfriend of the inmate to whom Heyward delivered the cellular telephone and simulated cocaine.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Colleen Barry of the Rackets Bureau.