FORMER CORRECTION OFFICER HAS BEEN SENTENCED TO A TERM OF TWO YEARS IMPRISONMENT FOR 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 Gary Heyward, a former New York City Correction Officer, has been sentenced to a determinate term of two years in prison for his role in the attempted sale of narcotics to an inmate and bribe receiving at a detention facility on Rikers Island.

Heyward, of Manhattan, was convicted earlier this month of one count of Bribe receiving in the 3rd degree, and one count of Attempted Criminal sale of a controlled substance in the 3rd degree.

Under the terms of the plea agreement, Acting State Supreme Court Justice John Byrne, sentenced Heyward to a term of two years imprisonment and one year post release supervision. Heyward also received a concurrent sentence of one year imprisonment on the charge of bribe receiving.

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.

Heyward admitted that on January 21, 2006 he accepted a $500 payment to smuggle a cellular telephone to an inmate at the George Motchan 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 Motchan Detention Center on January 27, 2006.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Colleen Barry of the Rackets Bureau.