Guard At Federal Prison Charged With Sexual Abuse Of Inmate At Otisville: DOJ

OTISVILLE, NY — A Hudson Valley prison guard is accused of sexually abusing an inmate in federal custody.

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, Assistant Director in Charge of the New York Field Office of the FBI, James C. Barnacle, Jr., Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General, Ryan T. Geach, and Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons William K. Marshall III, announced the unsealing of an Indictment charging Kyle Brown, a former federal correctional officer, with three counts of sexual abuse of a ward for engaging in sexual acts with an inmate he was responsible for guarding.

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Brown was arrested on Wednesday.

"Sexual abuse will be met with federal charges throughout our society; it has no place anywhere and victims deserve protection everywhere," Clayton said. "When a correctional officer abuses their power and harms an inmate, it is not only a violation of federal law—it is a betrayal of the trust that New York families place in our institutions. We will continue to protect victims, pursue the truth, and hold accountable anyone who abuses their power for their own sexual gratification."

Brown was employed as a federal correctional officer at Federal Correctional Institution, Otisville . On three occasions between December 26, 2025, and April 4, 2026, Brown engaged in anal and/or oral sex with an inmate who was incarcerated at FCI Otisville and over whom Brown had authority, according to the allegations in the indictment.

"As alleged, Kyle Brown abused his authority to engage in sexual acts with an inmate under his protection," Barnacle said. "The FBI is committed to holding corrupt civil servants accountable."

Brown, 27, of Newburgh, is charged with three counts of sexual abuse of a ward, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison.

"As alleged, Kyle Brown abused his authority to engage in sexual acts with an inmate under his protection," Barnacle said. "The FBI is committed to holding corrupt civil servants accountable."

Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of the FBI and DOJ OIG, as well as the FBI Hudson Valley White Collar Crime Task Force and Otisville FCI Special Investigative Swift Response.

"The allegations in the case represent a profound abuse of authority and a betrayal of public trust," Director Marshall said. "Anyone who exploits their position of authority disgraces this profession and has no place in the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Working alongside our law enforcement partners, we will pursue anyone who violates the law and ensure they are held accountable."

The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Office’s Civil Rights and Human Trafficking Unit in the Criminal Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Morel and Madison Reddick Smyser are in charge of the prosecution.

"The safety and security of federal prisons are of the utmost importance," Geach said. "The DOJ OIG vigorously investigates allegations of abuse of inmates by Federal Bureau of Prisons staff to ensure that those who break the law and the public’s trust are held accountable."