Joshua Smith was charged with conspiracy to commit bribery, according to a June 2 announcement by United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton. Smith, a former youth development specialist at Horizon Juvenile Center in the Bronx, was arrested and presented before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gary Stein.
Clayton said, “For years, the defendant allegedly engaged in a scheme to smuggle contraband into a juvenile detention facility in the Bronx in exchange for cash bribes. Rehabilitation of juvenile offenders is a challenge. It is only made more difficult when corrupt staff members supply contraband. This callous and hypocritical disregard for the rehabilitation mission calls for swift justice, including a message of deterrence.”
James C. Barnacle, Jr., Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s New York Field Office, said, “Joshua Smith allegedly exploited his position of employment by the Administration of Children’s Services to traffic contraband through the Horizon Juvenile Center. The FBI and our law enforcement partners continue to apprehend those who undermine the law to enrich themselves while putting the youth community at risk.”
Nadia I. Shihata, Commissioner of the New York City Department of Investigation, said, “The duty of this City Youth Development Specialist at Horizon Juvenile Center was to safeguard the young people in his care. Instead, he allegedly used his access to traffic marijuana, pills, and other contraband to the young residents in exchange for thousands of dollars in bribes… Let me be clear: any City employee who misuses their position… will be called to account.”
According to court documents unsealed on June 2 in Manhattan federal court, Smith received money from April 2023 through July 2025 as part of an alleged scheme involving meeting associates outside Horizon Juvenile Center and delivering items such as marijuana and pills inside. He is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit bribery carrying up to five years imprisonment; sentencing will be determined by a judge if convicted.
Clayton praised investigative work by both FBI and DOI agencies involved. The Public Corruption Unit oversees prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lauren Phillips and Stephanie Simon.
Authorities emphasized that all charges are allegations at this stage; Smith is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.