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New York Federal Guard Sentenced to 25 Years for Sexually Abusing Prisoners

New York federal judge Kiyo A. Matsumoto on July 31, 2019, sentenced former Bureau of Prisons Lieutenant Eugenio Perez to 25 years in prison. A jury in May 2018 found Perez guilty of six counts of deprivation of civil rights, four counts of aggravated abuse, five counts of sexual abuse in a federal prison, six counts of sexual abuse of a ward, one count of sexual abuse of a ward, and one count of abusive sexual contact.

The charges stem from incidents that occurred between January 2013 and September 2016 at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. Five prisoners testified that Perez lured them into isolated locations, used physical force and intimidation to force the prisoners to engage in sexual acts with him, and used his authority to assure they did not report the abuse.

The victims all gave corroborating statements describing Perez’s genitals, which he nicknamed “horse.” Four of the prisoners testified Perez forced them to perform oral sex.

At his sentencing, Perez, who faced a life sentence, begged for leniency. “I ask for mercy, not just for me but for my family,” Perez said through tears.

The judge, however, teared up when speaking with the victims and expressed being troubled by Perez’s conduct. “These women were vulnerable and they were told by Mr. Perez more than one time, don’t report this, and if you do, no one will believe you,” Judge Matsumoto said before handing down the sentence.

Perez is required to register as a sex offender upon release. 

 

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