BROWNSVILLE — THREE MORE STAFFERS at the Crossroads Juvenile Center in Brownsville were charged Wednesday with taking bribes to smuggle contraband — including marijuana, tobacco, and cell phones — to young detainees, according to the Daily News. Federal prosecutors allege that youth development specialists Evan Hamilton, 34, Linard King, 41, and Dra-Quan Whitmore, 34, accepted thousands in Cash App payments between 2022 and 2025. Whitmore alone allegedly took 130 payments totaling over $11,000. The arrests bring the total number of staffers charged in the past 18 months to nine, as investigators report seizing more than 100 cell phones and 700 blades at the facility.

At a rally on June 13, Borough President Reynoso and other advocates singled out the Crossroads Juvenile Center as one of the worst facilities plagued by systemic issues, citing numerous reports of abuse and corruption, the Brooklyn Eagle reported.

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Flags are placed by the names of those killed during the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks at the reflecting pools at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, in New York. One World Trade Center rises in the background. AP Photo/Donald King
9/11 memorial events in Brooklyn

September 11 |
Brooklyn Eagle Staff


William Staudt, a firefighter that worked at Ground Zero on the day of the attacks, looks over a reflecting pool during a ceremony to mark the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025, in New York. AP Photo/Seth Wenig
Americans mark the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks with emotional ceremonies

September 11 |
Brooklyn Eagle Staff


Volunteers work during the "NYC Meal Pack For 9/11 Day" at the Intrepid Museum, Wednesday, Sep. 10, 2025, in New York. AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura
Volunteers prep millions of meals for fellow New Yorkers on 24th anniversary of 9/11

September 10 |
Brooklyn Eagle Staff


A 9/11 tribute remembering victims and honoring survivors and first responders was held on Sept. 7. Photo by Arthur De Gaeta
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Canarsie Park holds 9/11 vigil, other ceremonies hosted throughout Brooklyn

September 11 |
Brooklyn Eagle Staff