Nassau Prison Drug Smuggling Ring Busted: Prosecutors

An investigation that has been ongoing since last fall has netted multiple arrests of people trying to smuggle drugs into the Nassau County Correctional Center, the District Attorney's office announced.

The investigation, named Operation United Front, was a joint investigation by the District Attorney’s office, the Nassau County Sheriff’s Department, the Nassau County Police Department and United States Postal Inspection Service into prison contraband. It started in the fall of 2017 following an incident of drugs being smuggled into the Nassau County Jail.

On Nov. 13, 2017, officials say that a drug-sniffing dog notified prison officials that a woman, Valerie Ritchwood, was allegedly trying to smuggle two balloons into the jail that contained multiple drugs. Officials say that the balloons were stuffed with synthetic marijuana, marijuana, strips believed to be suboxone, match heads and striker strips. Officials say the balloons were under several layers of clothing.

“These arrests are a direct result of the hard work and tireless efforts of the men and woman from the different agencies working as one," said Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder. "This demonstrates that the war on drugs does not stop at the street level but continues anywhere it’s found in the County. We will continue our combined efforts to halt contraband from entering our facilities and keeping our jails a drug free environment.”

Following that incident, four more arrests were made.

On Nov. 21, 2017, a drug-sniffing dog alerted jail officials to another attempt to smuggle Suboxone, marijuana and matches into the jail. Officials say an investigation led to the arrests of Dominique Horne and Christopher Wright. At the time of the arrest, Wright was a prisoner in the Nassau County jail and was allegedly conducting business with Horne.

On Feb. 9, 2018, while conducting an inspection, officials say that Nassau Count Corrections Officers found heroin inside an envelope in the jail. Officials say that Julius Eatman allegedly told Natasha Hyslop how to obtain, package and mail the drugs to him inside the jail. Afterward, on Feb. 13 and Feb. 28, correction officers allegedly found two envelopes addressed to Eatman from Hyslop that contained Suboxone strips along the envelope's adhesive seals.

On February 9, while performing an inspection, Nassau County Corrections Officers discovered heroin inside an envelope. A further investigation revealed that defendant Julius Eatman allegedly instructed defendant Natasha Hyslop on how to obtain, package and mail the heroin to him inside the jail. Additionally, on February 13 and February 28, corrections officers allegedly discovered two envelopes addressed to Eatman from Hyslop, that contained Suboxone strips along the adhesive seals to the envelopes.

Valerie Ritchwood, 38, of Roosevelt, was arraigned on Nov. 14, 2017 and charged with first- and second-degree promoting prison contraband, and was later released on bail. If convicted of the top count, she faces up to seven years in prison.

Dominique Horne, 33, of Hempstead, was arraigned on July 19 and charged with first-degree promoting prison contraband. She was released on bail and is due back in court Aug. 28. If convicted of the top count, she could face seven years in prison.

Christopher Wright, 32, currently housed at the Correctional Center, was arraigned on Aug. 2 on charges of first-degree promoting prison contraband and second-degree criminal contempt in the Second Degree (an A misdemeanor). He is due back in court on Oct. 18. If convicted of the top charge, he faces up to seven years in prison.

Natasha Hyslop, 40, of Hempstead, was arraigned on July 26 and charged with third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and three counts of first-degree promoting prison contraband. She was released on bail and is due back in court on Sept.14. If convicted of the top count, she faces up to nine years in prison.

Julius Eatman, 52, housed at the Nassau County Correctional Facility, was arraigned on Jan. 21 and charged with three counts of first-degree promoting prison contraband. He was arraigned and is due back in court Aug. 14. If convicted of the top charge, Eatman faces up to seven years in prison.

“These individuals allegedly conspired to use their association with the corrections system to operate a drug ring behind bars," said Postal Service Inspector in Charge Peter R. Rendina. "While they thought their scheme would go unnoticed, Postal Inspectors and their law enforcement partners have repeatedly shown there is no hiding from justice; you will be caught and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law for your crimes.”

Photo courtesy Nassau County District Attorney's Office