Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., today announced the indictment of ALEX TORO, 47, a Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (“DOCCS”) Corrections Officer at the Fishkill Correctional Facility, for selling cocaine out of his apartment in East Harlem.

TORO is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with two counts of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, one count of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, and one count of Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree. [1]

“Corrections officers are expected to uphold the law, and Mr. Toro’s alleged actions undermine faith in the criminal justice system,” said District Attorney Bragg. “I thank our partners at the NYPD for their partnership in exposing this activity.” 

As alleged in court documents and statements made on the record, from August 2^nd to September 7^th, TORO arrange four separate purchases of cocaine with an undercover NYPD officer. When TORO had to work at the Fishkill Correction Facility, he would arrange the sales over phone calls and text messages and then have his sister complete the transactions at his apartment on East 116^th Street. TORO was present on one occasion to complete the exchange himself. In total, TORO sold 250 grams of cocaine for a total value of $9,500.

In conversation with the undercover detective, TORO claimed that he owned an assault rifle and discussed acquiring a handgun to sell to the undercover.

A search warrant conducted yesterday at TORO’s Manhattan residence yielded over 1,000 grams of cocaine, with a street value of more than $40,000. A loaded .40 caliber firearm and ammunition was also recovered, along with nearly $8,000 in cash.

The case is being prosecuted by Attorney in Charge of Drug Strategies Kaitrin Roberts, under the supervision of Christopher Prevost (Chief of the Violent Criminal Enterprises Unit). VCEU Analyst Molly McElligott is assisting with the case.

D.A. Bragg thanked the detectives and supervisors of the Manhattan North Violent Crime Squad, especially the undercover detectives, and Detective James Burpoe, Sergeant Anis Nikocevic, Sergeant Robert Kelly, Lieutenant Christopher Vaccaro, Captain Kurtis Rose, Deputy Inspector Daniel Campbell, and Deputy Chief Brian McGee.

Defendant Information:
ALEX TORO
Charged:

• Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the First Degree, a class A-I felony, two counts
• Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Second Degree, a class A-II felony, one count
• Criminal Sale of a Controlled Substance in the Third Degree, a class B felony, one count

[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.

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