FCI Dublin Officer Sexually Abused Inmates In His Custody: DOJ

DUBLIN, CA — A federal correctional officer appeared in court Tuesday after he was indicted on charges that he sexually abused three inmates in his custody at a Dublin prison, authorities said.

Darrell Wayne Smith, 54, now of Florida, worked at the Federal Correction Institution, Dublin when he had sexual contact with the women inmates over the course of 12 incidents between May 2019 and May 2021, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

“For years, the defendant allegedly used his position of authority, as a federal corrections officer, to commit unspeakable acts of abuse and violence against multiple victims in a correctional institution,” FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate said in a news release.

“Nothing can undo the pain inflicted on the victims, but we hope today’s indictment is a further step towards justice.”

Smith is charged with five counts of sexual abuse of a ward, six counts of abusive sexual contact and one count of aggravated sexual abuse, according to authorities. He could face life in prison if convicted of the aggravated sexual abuse charge and could receive a $250,000 fine for each count, authorities said.

A probe into the Dublin prison has already resulted in the convictions of the former warden and chaplain, according to the department, which added the investigation is ongoing.