Bronx, NY – A New York City correction officer assigned to Rikers Island faces felony charges after prosecutors said he accepted thousands of dollars in bribes to smuggle documents purportedly laced with narcotics into a city jail.
Eric Rivera, 54, a New York City Department of Correction officer, was indicted on charges including bribery, official misconduct and promoting prison contraband, according to the Bronx District Attorney’s Office.
Investigators allege Rivera brought papers believed to be soaked with dangerous drugs such as K2 and fentanyl into a Rikers Island facility and delivered them to an inmate in exchange for payments exceeding $5,000.
Prosecutors Say Contraband Put Inmates and Staff at Risk
Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced the indictment Thursday alongside New York City Department of Investigation Commissioner Nadia I. Shihata.
“Documents soaked in dangerous narcotics such as K2 and fentanyl threaten the safety of inmates and staff,” Clark said. “This defendant allegedly received money to bring in papers treated with drugs, ignoring the hazard of such contraband, and putting lives at risk.”
Rivera was arraigned Tuesday before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Jay Young Kim on charges of second-degree bribe receiving, third-degree bribe receiving, official misconduct and second-degree promoting prison contraband.
He is scheduled to return to court on July 22.
According to prosecutors, the alleged bribery scheme took place on two occasions between June 1, 2025, and Sept. 15, 2025.
Investigators said Rivera accepted cash payments in exchange for transporting documents purportedly soaked in narcotics into the jail complex before handing them to an inmate.
Key Points
• A Rikers Island correction officer was indicted on bribery and contraband charges in the Bronx
• Prosecutors said Eric Rivera accepted more than $5,000 to smuggle drug-soaked papers into jail
• Officials warned narcotics-laced documents threaten both inmates and correction staff
Officials Highlight Growing Danger of Drug-Soaked Papers in Jails
Authorities said narcotics-infused papers have become a growing concern inside correctional facilities because substances can be absorbed through contact or distributed discreetly among inmates.
Commissioner Shihata said the alleged actions endangered both incarcerated individuals and fellow officers inside the jail system.
“Correction Officers take an oath to uphold the law and have a responsibility to safeguard people in their care,” Shihata said. “Instead, as charged, this defendant betrayed that oath by allegedly accepting thousands of dollars in bribes to smuggle contraband.”
The Department of Investigation’s Office of the Inspector General for the Department of Correction assisted in the investigation alongside NYPD detectives assigned to the Bronx District Attorney’s Squad.
Case Targets Corruption Inside Rikers Island Facilities
The prosecution is being handled by the Bronx District Attorney’s Public Integrity Bureau, which investigates corruption and misconduct involving public employees and government operations.
Officials did not identify the inmate who allegedly received the narcotics-soaked documents or specify which Rikers Island facility was involved.
The investigation focused on allegations that Rivera knowingly bypassed jail security protocols in exchange for financial payments.
Prosecutors stressed that the indictment is an accusation and not proof of guilt.
Rivera remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
