A 22-year-old inmate from the Bronx, Leury Mojica, was sentenced to 108 months in prison for his role in violent incidents at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, including an assault on a federal correction officer and an attempt to murder a fellow inmate. According to a statement from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York, Mojica was sentenced after pleading guilty and admitting his role in the crimes.
During his arraignment in February 2022 in connection with multiple robberies, Mojica was detained at MDC-Brooklyn, where on February 28, 2023, he and five other inmates attempted to kill an inmate in a knife attack, in which Mojica admitted to restraining the victim while another stabbed him, causing the victim to sustain several serious injuries. Mojica then struck a correction officer in an unprovoked assault on August 24, 2024, after the officer inquired if he wanted fruit with his breakfast, resulting in a contusion to the officer’s face, according to the office of United States Attorney Joseph Nocella, Jr.
United States Attorney Nocella conveyed the gravity of Mojica’s actions in a statement, “Today’s sentence makes clear that there are serious consequences for inmates who endanger the safety and security of the Metropolitan Detention Center by committing acts of violence against correction officers and other inmates,” and emphasized the impact this would have on deterring future violent conduct within the prison system. This statement of intent to maintain order and consequences for violations was echoed by FBI Assistant Director in Charge Christopher G. Raia, who said, “Mojica’s combative streak recklessly endangered the lives of other inmates and correction officers. May today’s sentencing deter any detainee from grossly violating law and order in our federal detention centers through violent misconduct,” according to the official press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Assistant United States Attorney David Berman headed the prosecution, and federal agencies, notably the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, were praised for their assistance in the investigation that led to Mojica’s sentencing for the violent crimes he did while detained.
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