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Rikers Island Captain Convicted of Medical Neglect
A former Rikers Island captain has been found guilty of deliberately ignoring the medical needs of an inmate who ingested a toxic substance and later died.
Terrence Pendergrass, 50, of Howard Beach, New York, was convicted of one count of deprivation of rights under color of law. He faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
The crime occurred on August 18, 2012, at the Rikers Island jail complex in the Bronx, New York. According to the complaint, Jason Echevarria, an inmate in the Mental Health Assessment Unit for Infracted Inmates, swallowed a powerful disinfectant/detergent combination in powder form, commonly referred to as a ‘soap ball.’
Echevarria had been given the soap ball by a correction officer for the purpose of cleaning his cell following a sewage backup. Pendergrass, who was the captain on duty at the time, was informed of the situation but chose not to call for medical help. Instead, he told an officer to hang up the phone when they tried to call for assistance.
U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara praised the work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and expressed his appreciation for the assistance of the New York City Department of Correction in the investigation and prosecution of Pendergrass.
Sentencing has been scheduled for April 17, 2015, at 4:00 p.m., before U.S. District Judge Ronnie Abrams.
Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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