A former corrections officer at a federal women’s prison in California is facing additional charges related to allegations by inmates who say he repeatedly sexually abused them while they were incarcerated since 2016.
Darrell Wayne Smith, who served time at the federal prison in Dublin, was arrested on a 12-count indictment in Florida on May 11, 2023. At the time, Smith was accused of sexually abusing three women in his prison cell and laundry room between 2019 and 2021, according to prosecutors.
The Department of Justice announced in a press release on Friday that a federal grand jury had issued an additional indictment charging Smith with 15 counts of sexual abuse, including violations of the civil rights of five female victims in his custody and control at the prison.
“As alleged, Officer Darrell Smith sexually abused those in his custody and custody, committing horrific criminal acts,” Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said in a statement. “Today’s indictment is the latest achievement in the Department of Justice’s ongoing efforts to seek justice for victims of sexual assault at Dublin FCI. We remain steadfast in our commitment to eradicating sexual assault within the BOP and holding accountable those who egregiously violate the terms of their duties.”
Former California corrections officer charged with sexually abusing three female inmates
The federal prison is located in Dublin, California.
The initial indictment against Smith, 55, who now lives in Florida, included 12 charges that allegedly occurred between May 2019 and May 2021. According to the Department of Justice, Smith engaged in separate sexual acts with each of the three female inmate victims.
The indictment issued last week identified two new victims and three new charges, bringing the total to 15 charges: two charges per victim, plus one civil rights violation arising from aggravated sexual abuse that Smith allegedly committed against one of the victims.
The Justice Department alleged that Smith’s sexual conduct began in August 2016.
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Darrell Wayne Smith served time at the Federal Correctional Facility in Dublin, California. (Anda Chew/MediaNews Group/MercuryNews via Getty Images)
“Federal prison guards must treat inmates humanely,” said U.S. Attorney for the District of Northern California Ismail Ramsey. “Sexually abusing inmates and denying them basic civil rights must stop.”
Smith is currently charged with six counts of sexual abuse of a ward, seven counts of abusive sexual contact, one count of aggravated sexual abuse and one count of deprivation of rights under the dignity of law.
His arraignment on the new indictment has not yet been scheduled, but his trial is currently scheduled to begin on March 17, 2025 in the Northern District of California.
If convicted, Smith faces a maximum sentence of life in prison for each count of aggravated sexual abuse and deprivation of rights under the dignity of law.
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Smith faces a possible life sentence on each count of aggravated sexual assault. (iStock)
He also faces a maximum statutory penalty of 15 years in prison for each count of sexual abuse of a ward and a maximum statutory penalty of two years in prison for each count of abusive sexual contact.
Smith is at least the sixth staff member at Dublin to be charged with abusing inmates. An Associated Press investigation last year found a culture of abuse and cover-ups had been going on for years at the prison, about 20 miles east of Oakland. The report led to increased congressional scrutiny and a pledge from the Federal Bureau of Prisons to address the problems and change the prison’s culture.
The prison’s former warden, Ray Garcia, was convicted in December 2022 of sexually abusing inmates and forcing them to pose nude in their cells and sentenced to six years in prison.
Since the AP investigation, the Justice Department has moved aggressively in recent months to prosecute federal prison officials accused of sexually abusing inmates. Deputy Attorney General Monaco and Federal Bureau of Prisons Director Colette Peters visited Dublin prison in March 2023 and met with activists working to improve prison conditions.
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James Theodore Highhouse, a former chaplain at Dublin Prison, was sentenced to seven years in prison in August after pleading guilty to abusing inmates in his chapel office and lying to authorities. Highhouse is appealing the sentence, arguing it exceeds federal guidelines.
Food services manager Enrique Chavez pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 20 months in prison. Recycling technician Ross Klinger pleaded guilty but has not been sentenced. Prison security officer John Russell Bellhouse is due to stand trial soon.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
