On June 13, 2025, a public defender was arrested for attempting to smuggle contraband into the Rikers Island jail complex. Bernardo Caceres, an attorney with Queens Defenders, was apprehended after bringing papers infused with THC, the primary psychoactive component in marijuana, during a client meeting.
The incident occurred at approximately 3 PM on Wednesday at the Otis Bantum Correctional Center within the Rikers facility. According to officials, the envelope containing the THC-laced papers drew the attention of a Correction Department dog, leading to the discovery of the contraband.
Caceres was at the facility to meet with a client who is currently facing burglary charges. A second attorney who accompanied him was not affiliated with Queens Defenders and remains unnamed in the reports.
The smuggling of contraband into Rikers Island has been an ongoing issue, prompting heightened security measures and scrutiny within the facility. The arrest of a public defender in this context raises significant concerns about the integrity of legal representation and the challenges faced by correctional institutions in preventing illicit activities.
As this case unfolds, it highlights the complexities surrounding law enforcement and the legal profession, particularly in environments like Rikers Island.
