Brooklyn juvenile detention center staff accused of accepting bribes to smuggle in contraband.

Three staff members of the Crossroads Juvenile Center in Brooklyn are facing federal charges for their alleged involvement in a bribery scheme that allowed them to bring contraband into the facility. This adds to a troubling trend, as these recent charges bring the total number of staff arrested for contraband-related offenses to nine since June 2024.

The individuals charged are Evan Hamilton, 34, Linard King, 41, and Dra-Quan Whitmore, 34—each of whom holds the title of “youth development specialist.” These specialists are tasked with supervising the teenage detainees under their care, but authorities allege that these three employees exploited their positions for personal gain.

Whitmore, who has been employed at Crossroads since October 2018 and earns an annual salary of approximately ,500, is accused of accepting 130 payments that totaled upwards of ,000 on his Cash App account. The payments, allegedly made by detainees and their associates, were meant to facilitate the smuggling of items such as marijuana, rolling papers, and tobacco into the facility. Records indicate that Whitmore engaged in extensive communications with at least four contraband phones within the detention center. Notably, he sought to conceal his activities, employing coded language in his messages.

King, who has been with Crossroads since September 2015, oversees other youth development specialists and reportedly earned around ,500 annually. Federal authorities allege that he received nearly ,300 between April and October 2022 for his illicit activities, which included smuggling marijuana and tobacco.

Hamilton, a Crossroads employee since November 2019 with a salary close to ,300, is alleged to have taken over 100 bribes, amounting to just over ,000, between February 2022 and April 2023. He has been accused of acting as an intermediary between a detainee and another staff member engaged in similar activities.

The allegations extend beyond bribery to a previous arrest involving Hamilton, who was allegedly caught with a firearm outside a nightclub in July 2022. The outcome of this arrest is currently unknown, and inquiries regarding disciplinary action from the Administrative for Children’s Services remain unanswered.

Currently, Whitmore is under suspension, with his return to modified duty scheduled for November 9, while King remains on active duty. All three men were arraigned in Brooklyn Federal Court and released on bond.

The Department of Investigation (DOI), which oversees the integrity of city employees, emphasized the dangers posed by contraband smuggling within juvenile detention centers. Recent reports indicate that from March 2022 through September 2025, law enforcement seized over 112 contraband cell phones and nearly 700 blades within the facility. The Crossroads Juvenile Center houses around 176 young people aged 14 to 20 and employs approximately 280 staff members.

Besides these recent charges, Lymek Frazier, a former youth development specialist, was charged last week for allegedly being compensated over ,000 to smuggle razors, marijuana, and oxycodone. Previous incidents involved five former staffers charged in June 2024, with two receiving jail time and two placed on probation. This ongoing pattern of misconduct highlights serious concerns regarding the security and integrity of juvenile detention facilities across New York City.

As the investigation continues, the DOI has reiterated its commitment to scrutinizing and holding accountable those who abuse their positions within the system designed to rehabilitate youth.

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