A correctional officer at the Federal Correctional Institution Dublin, California, faces a maximum of life in prison if convicted of aggravated sexual abuse against three female inmates in his custody.
Darrell Wayne Smith, 54, who currently lives in Florida, is under a 12-count indictment charging him for 12 incidents between May 2019 and May 2021 in which he allegedly “engaged in sexual acts and sexual contact with three female inmates who were then serving prison sentences,” a news release said.
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said in the release that Smith’s charges, announced on May 23, “are the latest in the Justice Department’s campaign to root out sexual misconduct within the Bureau of Prisons.”
Lisa Monaco is a deputy attorney general with the DOJ.
| Department of Justice
“As alleged, Darrell Smith exploited his authority to sexually abuse three vulnerable victims in custody at FCI Dublin,” Monaco said. “To enforce the BOP’s dual mission of providing a safe, humane environment for those in custody while preparing them to return to society, we will hold accountable all BOP personnel who abuse their authority.”
Smith made his initial federal court appearance on May 11 in the Northern District of Florida on the same day he was arrested, the release said. He made his initial appearance May 23 in the Northern District of California before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kandis Westmore. His next federal court appearance is scheduled for July 10.
“Smith is charged with five counts of sexual abuse of a ward, six counts of abusive sexual contact, and one count of aggravated sexual abuse,” the release said. “Smith faces a maximum of life in prison if convicted of the aggravated sexual abuse, a maximum of 15 years … in prison for each count of sexual abuse of a ward, and a maximum of two years in prison for each count of abusive sexual contact.”
Supervised release, restitution, a fine of up to $250,000 for each count, and more can be ordered, the release said.
“For years the defendant allegedly used his position of authority, as a federal corrections officer, to commit unspeakable acts of abuse and violence against multiple victims in a correctional institution,” FBI deputy director Paul Abbate said in the release.
“The FBI and our law enforcement partners are committed to aggressively pursuing those who violate the civil rights of others, no matter their rank or title," he added. "Nothing can undo the pain inflicted on the victims, but we hope today’s indictment is a further step towards justice.”
Inspector General Michael Horowitz said in the release that the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General will bring to justice every Federal Bureau of Prisons employee at the prison in Dublin who sexually abused inmates.
“To date those efforts have already included arrests and convictions of FCI Dublin’s former warden and chaplain,” Horowitz said. “[This] indictment alleges brazen and violent sexual assault by Smith and alleges abuse of multiple inmates over several years.
"As evidenced by these charges, the OIG and FBI investigation remains ongoing," he added. "We will continue to aggressively investigate allegations of abuse at FCI Dublin and across the Federal Bureau of Prisons.”
