A former prison correctional officer in Hawaii was arrested last week on allegations he sexually abused female inmates went after vulnerable victims and undermined the mission of federal prisons, Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco said in a news release.
Mikael Rivera, 45, of Kapolei, Hawaii, former Bureau of Prisons correctional officer, was arrested Wednesday, Jan. 25, in Oahu on criminal charges arising from his alleged sexual abuse of female inmates, according to a U.S. Department of Justice news release issued the same day. Rivera's victims were confined at the Federal Detention Center in Honolulu, according to the news release.
"As alleged, the defendant's conduct targeted vulnerable victims and undermined the dual mission of the Bureau of Prisons: to provide a safe, humane custodial environment while preparing individuals for a return to society," Monaco said in the news release. "The charges announced today reflect the department's commitment to root out sexual misconduct within the BOP and to hold accountable those who illegally exploit their authority."
Rivera, a correctional officer at the Federal Detention Center from about 2014 to 2018, is alleged to have committed multiple sexual acts with one inmate "through the use of threats," and to have "engaged in sexually abusive conduct with two additional inmates under his supervision," the news release said.
Rivera faces six counts of sexual abuse by threats and 11 counts of sexual abuse of a ward. If convicted, he could receive a maximum of life sentence for each count of sexual abuse by threats and up to 15 years for each count of sexual abuse of a ward.
"As alleged, the defendant abused his position of power as a correctional officer and sexually abused multiple inmates under his supervision," DOJ Criminal Division Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. said in the news release. "This case demonstrates that the Criminal Division will not hesitate to hold accountable any officer who preys upon vulnerable victims and violates the public’s trust."
Rivera violated the government's trust, Hawaii U.S. Attorney Clare E. Connors said in the news release.
"Government employees entrusted with the custody of inmates are responsible for the safety of both the community as well as those inmates," Connors said. "This prosecution holds a prison guard accountable for flagrantly and repeatedly violating the law, and thereby failing to meet this responsibility."
DOJ's news release follows last summer's report by Hawaii News Now that Riviera agreed to pay $100,000 to two former inmates who claimed he sexually assaulted them in May 2018 in their shared cell at the Federal Detention Center in Honolulu. Rivera denied assaulting either inmates but agreed to the settlement to avoid legal costs. He had not been charged or arrested based on the allegations, Hawaii News Now said in its July 4 report.
