Federal investigators discovered a loaded gun in the Manhattan jail where financier Jeffrey Epstein committed suicide last year.
Investigators with the Bureau of Prisons began searching the facility last week after receiving information that a loaded gun had been smuggled inside the jail, a serious violation of security, according to the Associated Press. The bureau has faced significant pressure to improve its security practices after Epstein, who was facing charges of rape and sex trafficking, was found dead in his cell on Aug. 10.
Attorney General William Barr named a new Bureau of Prisons director last week: Michael Carvajal, a nearly 30-year veteran of the agency. Carvajal replaced Hugh Hurwitz, who Barr removed in August during the fallout over Epstein’s suicide.
Bureau investigators found the gun and other contraband items during a lockdown at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan. Officials are expected to continue the lockdown and search for more items in violation of security protocols.
“All of these items pose a significant threat to the safety and security of the facility as well as the public,” the Bureau of Prisons said in a statement.
Before entry into the facility, visitors and others are screened and ordered to leave all personal belongings in a holding area before seeing prisoners. The prison’s usual operations have been disrupted and changed until the lockdown is over. Federal Defenders of New York chief attorney David Patton has said the modifications may be violating inmates’ constitutional rights.
“Sentencings are being delayed. Hearings are being delayed,” Patton said. “But the MCC acts as though it’s perfectly fine for them to just shut down the entire institution to look for contraband. It’s just not acceptable. They’ve got to be able to walk and chew gum at the same time.”
