Sleepy Hollow Man Arrested for Assisting Contraband Smuggling into Prison for Financial Gain: District Attorney

Correction officer and another man accused of smuggling contraband into Sing Sing prison in exchange for payment.

Two individuals, one of whom is a correction officer, have been accused of engaging in a scheme to smuggle contraband into Sing Sing Correctional Facility in Ossining, according to officials from the Westchester County District Attorney's Office. The suspects, identified as Jose Estevez-Luciano, a 33-year-old resident of Irvington, and Francis De La Cruz, a 24-year-old resident of Sleepy Hollow, now face charges related to their alleged illegal activities.

The scheme, which took place between October 14, 2021, and August 2, 2023, involved De La Cruz receiving contraband and accepting payments from associates of incarcerated individuals under the direction of Estevez-Luciano. Once De La Cruz obtained the contraband, he would pass it on to Estevez-Luciano, who, being a correction officer, would then deliver it to the incarcerated individuals in exchange for monetary compensation.

Among the items smuggled into the prison by Estevez-Luciano were cell phones, with one payment exceeding $5,000. The charges filed against both men include conspiracy and promoting prison contraband. Additionally, Estevez-Luciano faces 13 counts of official misconduct.

The duo was arraigned in Westchester County Court, where they will face legal proceedings. In response to the case, Daniel Martuscello, the Acting Commissioner of the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, expressed zero tolerance for staff misconduct and condemned the actions of the correction officer involved, describing it as a severe breach of duty and a violation of the oath of office.

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