A correction officer at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn was indicted for allegedly sexually abusing an inmate and lying about the abuse to federal agents, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York says.

James Johnson, 36, of Manhattan, was arrested Wednesday and is accused of sexually abusing an inmate, “John Doe,” who he was responsible for guarding, in at least two separate incidents in May 2025. According to court documents, DNA evidence on the inmate's prison jumpsuit linked Johnson to the crimes.

Johnson allegedly ordered the inmate to accompany him out of the inmate’s assigned unit to other locations inside MDC, where the inmate was sexually abused.

According to the indictment, Johnson attempted to cover up his actions, lying to federal agents during an interview about his conduct and claiming he had never engaged in a sexual act with an inmate.

"As alleged, Johnson leveraged his position as a correctional officer to take advantage of a man he was supposed to be protecting in his capacity as a prison guard and used his access to gratify his own sexual desires," said US Attorney Nocella. "My Office is steadfast in its commitment to root out corruption and abuse within federal prisons, especially when that abuse is perpetrated at the hands of guards and jeopardizes the safety and security of the institution and the inmates."

"The alleged sexual abuse of an inmate by a federal correctional officer is a grave betrayal of public trust and will not be tolerated," said FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle. "Federal correctional officers are sworn to protect, not prey upon, those in their care. No one is above the law and we will continue to work tirelessly to hold accountable those who violate the rights of federal inmates."

Johnson is charged with sexual abuse, sexual abuse of a ward and making false statements to federal law enforcement. If convicted, he faces up to life behind bars.