Andrew Simpson, Murder, New York 2024

Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn

Violence Rocks Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn

In a shocking turn of events, federal charges have been announced against inmates for violent crimes committed in the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. The charges include the murder of Uriel Whyte on June 7, 2024, the murder of Edwin Cordero on July 17, 2024, an attempted murder on April 27, 2024, and two violent assaults on August 24 and 27, 2024.

The defendants, Andrew Simpson and Devone Thomas, who were previously detained at MDC-Brooklyn on racketeering and robbery charges, respectively, have been indicted by a grand jury for their roles in the June 7, 2024 murder of inmate Uriel Whyte.

According to the indictment, on the morning of June 7, 2024, following a verbal dispute between Simpson and Whyte, cellmates Simpson and Thomas armed themselves with makeshift weapons and proceeded to engage in a series of two-on-one attacks against Whyte. The escalating violent attacks, which took place over a span of approximately 15 minutes, were committed against Whyte inside Simpson and Thomas’s shared cell, which served to hide their conduct from guards and surveillance cameras.

“Violence will not be tolerated in our federal jails,” stated United States Attorney Breon Peace. “As alleged, in June and July of this year, two men detained at MDC-Brooklyn—Uriel Whyte and Edwin Cordero—were murdered by fellow inmates using makeshift weapons. Others at MDC-Brooklyn have been viciously assaulted by inmates, as alleged in the three other cases announced today. No matter the reason for their detention, my Office will work tirelessly to vindicate the rights of victims who suffer violence within MDC-Brooklyn and prosecute to the fullest extent of the law those who choose to commit such heinous acts.”

Mr. Peace thanked the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and the U.S. Bureau of Prisons for their assistance with the investigations.

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