The pal of a corrupt MDC Brooklyn guard helped the now-convicted former correction officer collect bribe money to sneak pot into the federal jail, prosecutors allege.
Arabia Ritchie, 43, of the Bronx, was busted this week on charges she conspired with former guard Najee Jackson to smuggle contraband into the Sunset Park jail.
After Jackson was arrested in January, Ritchie went to his Brooklyn Federal Court arraignment and signed a $10,000 bond for Jackson’s release, telling the court they’d been friends for about 12 years, according to court documents. But investigators learned they were also partners in crime, the feds allege.
Jackson, 32, was caught trying to sneak vacuum-sealed packages of pot and cigarettes inside his protective vest on Jan. 21. When the feds raided his apartment on Jan. 29, they got a hold of his cell phone — which had incriminating WhatsApp exchanges between him and someone named “A. R.,” according to a criminal complaint.
A. R., phone records would show, was Arabia Ritchie, according to the feds.
“By the way nobody sent anything to me for you,” she messaged Jackson on Jan. 6, and he responded, “It’s not time.” Ritchie replied, “Understood.”
The feds dug into Ritchie’s accounts and found she received several payments through Apple Pay, from five people who were either connected to MDC inmates or had been locked up in the jail in the past, the feds allege.
“I have 5k so far in payments. Picking up the package tomorrow in the Bronx,” she messaged Jackson on Jan. 16, just five days before his ill-fated attempt to smuggle in drugs, the feds allege. More payments followed, and on Jan. 18, Ritchie sent $1,500 to Jackson through Zelle, labeling the transaction, “Nana Birthday Party,” the feds allege.
Ritchie was arraigned in Brooklyn Federal Court Tuesday and freed on $10,000 bond. Her lawyer, Sarah Sacks, declined comment Thursday.
Jackson, who quit his job after his Jan. 29 arrest, pleaded guilty in Brooklyn Federal Court in July to attempted provision of contraband in prison. He could face up to six months behind bars based on federal sentencing guidelines when he’s sentenced on Dec. 17, though his lawyer is asking for probation.
Federal prosecutors unsuccessfully asked for a 45-day delay in his sentencing so they could address new details stemming from the case against Ritchie.
Contraband is a regular problem at the troubled federal jail, which is notorious for violent incidents, including two murders last year, as well as instances of medical mistreatment, a near-constant lockdown and vermin-infested food.