QUEENS, NEW YORK: A Rikers Island correction officer has unwittingly become the subject of internet mockery after it was revealed that he planted a pointed shard of Plexiglas in an inmate's cell while his body camera was still recording, only to later pretend he had discovered it, according to officials.
Dionisio Rosario, a 33-year-old officer with seven years of service in the city's Department of Corrections, is now facing serious charges.
What are the charges against Dionisio Rosario?
The Bronx District Attorney's Office recently announced his indictment, which includes four counts of first-degree falsifying business records, six counts of second-degree falsifying business records, and two counts of official misconduct.
The incident unfolded when Rosario, engaged in a search within the Robert N Davoren Center, unintentionally activated his body-worn camera while getting into an altercation with an inmate.
During the search, a use of force ensued between the officer and the inmate. After this confrontation, the officer, unaware that his actions were being recorded, was seen on his own body camera retrieving a sharpened 4-inch Plexiglas shard and placing it in the inmate's cell.
Officer's scheme exposed as DA condemns 'unconscionable' act
The investigation conducted by the DA's office alleged that Rosario strategically concealed the pointed object beneath a piece of paper near the sink area within the cell.
A press release from the DA's office stated, "The defendant is seen searching other areas of the cell before coming back to the sink area, where he removed the sharpened object from where he had previously planted it."
Following this staged concealment, Rosario then reported that he had "recovered" the weapon by the sink area and falsely claimed it had been in the inmate's possession, according to the DA's Office.
District Attorney Darcel Clark unequivocally condemned the officer's actions, saying, “There have been too many brutal slashings of inmates and staff inside Rikers Island, and for a Correction Officer to allegedly plant a 4-inch, pointed shard of plexiglass in an inmate’s cell and then pretend he found it is unconscionable and absurd.”
Rosario is scheduled to appear in court on December 19.
Netizens mock Rikers officer's actions
Internet users ridiculed the Rikers officer for his actions.
A user stated, "You clown," while another stated, "Lol. Funniest thing I've seen today. So far haha."
A third asserted, "These things always make me wonder how often cops get away with this sort of thing. It is pretty scary actually."
A user claimed, "What a putz! "Ding dong!!!" read a tweet.
