Three jail guards accused of raping and sexually abusing detainees have been transferred out of the women’s jail on Rikers Island, according to the Department of Correction. This move comes after weeks of scrutiny following allegations made in lawsuits filed last year by women who claimed they were sexually abused by the guards while they were held at the Rose M. Singer Center at Rikers. The guards in question, Terrell Armstead, Valery Attimy, and Anthony Rizzo, were identified in these lawsuits alongside more than 700 other women who filed claims under the Adult Survivors Act.
The Adult Survivors Act opened a one-year window for sexual assault survivors to file claims outside of the statute of limitations. The allegations against the guards were deemed serious enough that their removal from the facility was considered necessary during the pending lawsuits. The Department of Correction’s press secretary, Annais Morales, stated, “Given the nature and the severity of the allegations in these instances, it was determined that it is in the best interest of all parties that the employees be moved out of the facility during the pendency of the lawsuits.”
However, some believe that simply transferring the guards out of the facility is not enough. Adam Slater, an attorney representing a woman who accused Armstead of conducting sexually invasive strip searches on her, called for a more thorough investigation and termination of the officers involved. He stated, “This is far too little, too late. It’s moving around the problem, rather than solving it.” Similarly, attorney Anna Kull, representing clients who accused Rizzo of rape and Attimy of groping, emphasized the need for swift action, saying, “This delay means these officers, and likely many others, remained employed in proximity to incarcerated women.”
The situation is further complicated by the fact that two other guards identified in the lawsuits are still employed by the Department of Correction. One of the guards, Anthony Martin Jr., was arrested and charged with raping a woman at his home earlier this year while posing as a television producer casting for a new show. Three additional women have accused Martin Jr. of sexual assault and abuse at Rikers. He was suspended after his arrest and placed on unpaid leave. The Department of Investigation typically handles more serious cases of alleged misconduct by jail staff, but it is unclear whether they are investigating any of the allegations made in the civil lawsuits.
Last month, the correction department stated that none of the guards identified in the lawsuits had faced discipline for sexual misconduct. This lack of accountability has raised concerns among lawmakers and advocates, especially in light of Mayor Eric Adams’ promise of a thorough investigation into the allegations against jail staff. However, a growing number of legislators are calling on the mayor to fulfill this promise amid reports of investigations into sexual abuse at Rikers languishing since Adams took office in 2022.
The news of the guards’ transfers comes as a judge ordered the city to continue discussions on whether the federal government should take control of Rikers Island. The city jail has long been plagued by reports of violence, abuse, and subpar living conditions. Mayor Adams’ office has yet to respond to requests for comment on the situation.
As this story continues to develop, it underscores the ongoing challenges faced by those incarcerated at Rikers and the need for accountability and transparency within the correctional system. The allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct highlight the urgent need for thorough investigations and appropriate consequences for those responsible. The voices of survivors must be heard, and steps must be taken to ensure the safety and well-being of all individuals in custody.
