NEW YORK — A New York City correction officer, an inmate and the inmate’s wife have been indicted in a wide-ranging contraband smuggling scheme that prosecutors say funneled drugs, tobacco and security tools into a Rikers Island jail, while the officer allegedly stole nearly $8,000 in pay for hours he did not work.
Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark and Department of Investigation Commissioner Jocelyn E. Strauber announced the indictments Thursday, describing a conspiracy that prosecutors say endangered staff and inmates inside the city’s jail system.
“The defendants allegedly engaged in a scheme that provided an inmate with contraband that fuels violence behind bars. Even more troubling, the veteran correction officer allegedly supplied the inmate with tools that can unscrew special security screws used throughout the jails, creating a security risk. These actions placed his fellow officers, other staff and inmates in jeopardy,” Clark said.
“As charged, this City Correction officer abused his position of trust, acting in concert with a person in custody and a co-conspirator, to smuggle contraband, including security tools, into Rikers Island jail facilities. Introducing contraband destabilizes the City’s jails, endangering staff and inmates. Additionally, according to the indictment, the defendant is charged with time theft—stealing approximately $7,783 in wages from the City,” Strauber said.
Prosecutors said the defendants are Correction Officer Steven Davis, also known as “Sistrin,” 43, an employee of the Department of Correction since 2009; inmate Lorenzo Manuel, also known as “Despo,” 43; and Natasha Laing, 51, of Manhattan. All three are charged with first- and second-degree promoting prison contraband and multiple counts of conspiracy. Davis faces additional charges including bribe receiving, official misconduct, grand larceny, petit larceny, corrupting the government, defrauding the government and falsifying business records. Manuel and Laing are also charged with second- and third-degree bribery.
Davis and Laing have been arraigned before Bronx Supreme Court Justice George Villegas and are due back in court Feb. 10, 2026. Manuel is awaiting arraignment.
According to investigators, the scheme operated between May and November 2024 at the Otis Bantum Correctional Center on Rikers Island. Prosecutors allege Davis accepted thousands of dollars in bribes and met repeatedly with Laing in Harlem to coordinate and receive contraband deliveries.
On July 3, 2024, Davis allegedly delivered contraband tobacco to Manuel inside the 5 North housing area of the jail. On Aug. 15, prosecutors say Davis brought in a carton of cigarettes valued at at least $10,000 behind bars, marijuana, a lighter and specialized security tools capable of removing screws from light fixtures, vents and other areas used to hide contraband such as cell phones and scalpels. On Oct. 25, Davis allegedly left his post, drove to Harlem to collect more contraband from Laing, returned to Rikers and delivered the items to Manuel in the early morning hours of Oct. 26.
Prosecutors say Davis collected more than $5,000 in cash bribes in exchange for smuggling contraband.
In a separate allegation, Davis is accused of stealing approximately $7,783 in taxpayer money through time theft between January 2024 and March 2025.
The case is being prosecuted by the Bronx District Attorney’s Public Integrity Bureau with assistance from the Department of Investigation and the NYPD.