Bronx, NY – In a significant move against jail violence, Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced the indictment of nine Rikers Island inmates for a brutal assault. The inmates are charged with Attempted Gang Assault in the First Degree among other charges for an attack that left a fellow inmate unconscious with a broken nose.
The assault, which occurred on December 25, 2023, at the Eric M. Taylor Center, involved the defendants punching, kicking, and stomping on the 39-year-old victim. The victim, who also was hit multiple times with a plastic chair, suffered severe injuries including a fractured nasal bone, leading to his hospitalization.
Najee Johnson, Nasir Gutzman, Jerrold Merriweather, Darius Johnson, Reggie Johnson, Michael Rogers, David Medrano Torres, Lloyd McLean, and Zachary Quiles face serious charges. Except for Merriweather, all were arraigned between February 13 and 15, 2024, with their next court date set for April 16, 2024. Bail amounts varied, with McLean and Gutzman’s set the highest at $75,000 cash or $150,000 bond.