Gang Member Released With Coronavirus Fears Back Behind Bars: DOJ

RIVERHEAD, NY — A Riverhead gang member who was released from jail due to health concerns related to the new coronavirus is back behind bars after she failed to follow social distancing protocols, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

According to the DOJ, Kotarra Jackson, 37, "an admitted Bloods gang member," was granted temporary release on April 13; her release was revoked on April 16 after she was photographed not following social distancing, the DOJ said. Jackson surrendered on April 17 and was sent back to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn where she is awaiting trial on charge of conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine, the DOJ said.

United States Attorney Richard P. Donoghue of the Eastern District of New York wrote a letter to United States District Judge Joanna Seybert in Central Islip requesting that the court issue a warrant authorizing the arrest of Jackson, also known as "Red," for violating the conditions of her temporary release during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The court, the letter states, granted Jackson's temporary release from custody on April 13 based upon her claims that she suffers from obesity, asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea.

Jackson's attorney Anthony La Pinta of Hauppauge wrote to Seybert requesting an order for his client's release or a bail hearing to be heard as soon as possible due the the "rapidly worsening health crisis that seriously imperils" her health, he said. He added that cases of the virus had been confirmed in both inmates and staff at the MDC.

"During the bail hearing, the court noted that had Jackson not had increased medical risks associated with COVID-19, the court would not have granted Jackson’s release," the letter from Donoghue said.

Restrictions were placed upon her release, including home detention and the requirement that she make an appointment to be tested for coronavirus and provide the court with verification of the results, Donoghue said.

"Until the defendant is determined not to have the virus either through a negative test or after 14 days in self-quarantine, the defendant will be on home detention . . . and may only leave her home for court, attorney visits, medical appointments and other appointments as approved by pretrial services with 48 hour business notice," Donoghue's letter said.

Following Jackson’s release on April 13, a member of the Suffolk County East End Drug Task Force said they saw Jackson "leaning in the passenger window" of a gray Honda at 6:30 p.m. and smoking a cigarette in front of the residence in Shirley where Jackson said she would be residing while released, Donoghue's letter said.

Next, a white Jeep Cherokee pulled behind the gray Honda; Jackson then left the Honda and walked to the Jeep, where she leaned into the passenger window and proceeded to engage the passengers in conversation for the next 30 minutes, remaining on the sidewalk until dusk, Donoghue's letter said.

"At no point during these interactions was Jackson wearing personal protective equipment, a mask or practicing social distancing," the letter said.

The next day, members of the EEDTF and the Federal Bureau of Investigation said they saw Jackson leave at 3 p.m. and get into a light blue sedan; neither Jackson nor the driver were wearing masks or PPE, the letter said. The sedan headed to a deli in a strip mall in Mastic, where the driver got into a "minor accident," the letter said. "While waiting for Suffolk County 7th Precinct officers responded to the accident to complete an accident report, two other vehicles, a gold Nissan Maxima and a gray Hyundai arrived in the lot. Jackson engaged in conversations with individuals from both vehicles, none of whom were wearing any mask or PPE," Donoghue added.

She then entered the deli and when police arrived, she was "not willing to give them her ID. Ultimately, Jackson left the scene," and arrived back at the residence at 4:30 p.m.

The incidents violated the conditions of her release, Donoghue said.

"Jackson’s blatant disregard of social distancing, or any COVID-19
precautions, make her a danger to the community that she is regularly exposing herself to.
Beyond that, Jackson’s actions have only served to increase the risk of COVID-19 to herself
and members of the residence which she was released to," Donoghue added in the letter.

Donoghue also said she had "an increased risk of flight...In sum, Jackson has lied to the court about her COVID-19 concerns and completely disregarded the court’s order. At this point, the only way for the court to ensure the safety of the community is to remand Jackson."

La Pinta responded for a request for comment on Tuesday: "The court’s decision to quickly revoke Ms. Jackson’s bail and remand her back to custody demonstrates the serious and urgent need for social distancing and the wearing a mask when in public to combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus," he said.