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It’s hard to believe that the most secure federal prison, responsible for housing some of America’s worst criminals, including terrorists and drug cartel kingpins, dropped the ball in what would have likely been the trial of the century.
Jeffrey Epstein, the philanthropist and sex offender, was awaiting trial in the Metropolitan Correctional Facility in New York when he was found dead in his cell the morning of August 10, 2019.
Though he was supposed to be regularly monitored by correctional officers, as he had a recent previous suicide attempt, his death was ruled a suicide by hanging.
When the event was initially reported, prosecutors had stated that no one had entered his cell, as confirmed by security footage. It is unclear if the security footage was just of the hallway or if there was also a camera angled into the cell.
We learned that two correctional officers, Tova Noel and Michael Thomas, were on duty that night and whose responsibilities included checking on Epstein every 30 minutes. One of those officers’ original duties was not that of a correctional officer. Still, the prison was understaffed, so they both had been picking up the slack, working mandatory overtime, as well as long and double shifts to manage the duties.
Officers Guarding Epstein During Death Admit They Falsified Records, Cut Pending Deal With No Jail Time https://t.co/aXtDfNGmT7 pic.twitter.com/sUCPOjGQkW
— The Daily Wire (@realDailyWire) May 24, 2021
Epstein was found unconscious during the breakfast rounds. Though the two had filled out their paperwork as per usual, they falsified the documents to say that they had made all their rounds when they hadn’t. According to original reports, they missed their 3 am, and 5 am rounds due to internet surfing and nap-taking.
The two correctional officers rejected the plea bargain they were offered at the time to take responsibility for the falsification.
A lawyer for Epstein, Marc Fernich, said: “It would be a shame if minor scapegoats — classic low-hanging fruit, the softest targets — were made to take the fall for this tragedy on what amounts to a coverup theory. Unless it prompts genuine self-reflection from all major participants and stakeholders in our criminal justice system and those who cover it, Mr. Epstein’s death in federal custody — senseless and sad as it is — will have been entirely for naught.”
The two MCC officials charged following Jeffrey Epstein’s death by suicide at the jail have reached a deferred prosecution deal with prosecutors. pic.twitter.com/vJoa5RNuiY
— Kara Scannell (@KaraScannell) May 21, 2021
Allowing the time to pass has turned out to be a wise idea for the two officers as they have now avoided all jail time. On Friday, authorities said that the two struck a plea bargain, entering into a deferred prosecution agreement that includes no jail time, 100 hours of community service, and full cooperation with the ongoing investigation by the Justice Department’s inspector general.
Attorneys for the two also suggested that they were scapegoats for the justice system, which was embarrassed that it couldn’t keep a high-profile prisoner safe.
The prosecution stated, “After a thorough investigation, and based on the facts of this case and the personal circumstances of the defendants, the Government has determined that the interests of justice will best be served by deferring prosecution.”
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