Former Brooklyn detention center employee arrested for smuggling blades, marijuana, and pills into the facility.

A former employee of the Crossroads Juvenile Center in Brooklyn faces serious legal consequences after being charged with smuggling contraband—including razor blades, marijuana, and oxycodone—into the facility over an extended period. Lymek Frazier, 33, who served as a youth development specialist at the center until his termination in January, was arrested on charges related to this operation that allegedly lasted for nearly a year.

Frazier reportedly accepted payments exceeding ,000 via a mobile cash application from detainees and their associates during his tenure at Crossroads. This incident has brought attention to a recurring issue of contraband within the facility, raising concerns about the safety and integrity of its operations. Jocelyn Strauber, commissioner of the city’s Department of Investigation, emphasized the breach of trust inherent in Frazier’s actions, stating that he was charged with ensuring the welfare of the youth under his supervision.

Recent data released by the Department of Investigation revealed that between March 2022 and September 2023, authorities confiscated at least 112 contraband cell phones and nearly 700 various types of blades and scalpels, along with illegal narcotics and tobacco products. The Crossroads Juvenile Center, located on Bristol Street in Brownsville, accommodates roughly 176 youth within an extensive framework of 280 staff members. This incident follows previous indictments against five other staff members for similar contraband offenses, further highlighting the systemic issues at the facility.

While the rules at Crossroads explicitly prohibit staff members from introducing banned items—including drugs, weapons, and mobile phones—Frazier’s case raises questions about the enforcement of these regulations. Prior to his dismissal, Frazier began bringing contraband into the facility in exchange for cash, allegedly receiving payments under coded terms referencing illicit items. Investigations led to his termination when a silver blade fell from his pocket, triggering a security review.

Frazier was arraigned and subsequently released on home detention with a 0,000 bond while being monitored with an electronic ankle device. The Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), which oversees the center, has undertaken additional security measures in light of this incident, including increasing the presence of facility police, improving search protocols, and implementing enhanced training for staff.

Despite a noted increase in the population of the juvenile facilities, comprising approximately 336 youths in total, ACS reports a significant decline in violence rates. Youth-on-youth assaults have decreased from 0.34 incidents per 100 detainees in 2021 to 0.17 in 2025, while incidents involving staff have similarly dropped from 0.27 per 100 to 0.12. These trends are attributed to a combination of enhanced training in behavior management techniques and the introduction of conflict resolution skills programs aimed at mitigating violence among detainees.

As ACS continues to address these challenges, their efforts reflect an ongoing commitment to maintaining safety and security within juvenile detention facilities, particularly in light of recent contraband issues.