Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Rikers Island guard charged with rape and smuggling weed into prison

The corrections officer told investigators that she fell in love with the inmate

Justin Carissimo
New York
Monday 08 February 2016 12:41 EST
A view of the entrance to Rikers Island penitentiary complex.
A view of the entrance to Rikers Island penitentiary complex. (Emmanuel Dunnand/Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A guard at Rikers Island correctional facility has been charged with rape and marijuana possesion.

Nicole Bartley, 30, was charged on Sunday after she admitted to having a sexual relationship with an inmate. Under New York law, inmates cannot legally consent to sex while in jail. The corrections officer also told investigators that she planned to smuggle K2—synthetic marijuana—into the prison for him.

“I was in love with him. He used me and played me for a fool. I had sex with him on one occasion in the jail a few days before Jan. 30,” she said, according to the New York Daily News.

“I used a condom. It was in the closet in the morning when everyone else was locked in. It only lasted five minutes.”

NYC Department of Investigation
NYC Department of Investigation (NYC Department of Investigation)

Ms Bartley was arrested on Saturday at her home in the Bronx. She was in possession of 70 grams of marijuana that she says she planned on smuggling to the inmate. She was charged with rape in the third degree, sexual misconduct, official misconduct, promoting prison contraband in the second degree and criminal possession of marijuana in the fourth degree.

“This case involving sex for drugs puts on full display the dangers of corruption in our City’s jails and the connection between the drugs, inappropriate relationships and violence that pervade the system,” Mark Peters, Department of Investigation commissioner, said in a press release

“The alleged crimes by probationary Correction Officer Nicole Bartley erode the public’s trust in our civil servants, and tarnish the hardworking officers in our city jails,” said Bronx County District attorney Darcel Clark. “Such corrupt and indecent actions contribute to the troubling conditions on Rikers Island, and undermine safety and security there.”

She was later released on $1,000 bail and now faces up to four years in prison if convicted of the charges.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in