Feds Charge Westchester Man In Contraband-For-Bribes Scheme At Juvenile Detention Facility

YONKERS, NY — A betrayal of trust led to a Westchester man facing federal prison time, according to prosecutors.

The former staff member at the Horizon Juvenile Center in the Bronx has been charged with conspiracy to commit bribery in what federal prosecutors describe as a years-long contraband-smuggling scheme inside the secure youth detention facility.

Joshua Smith, 34, of Yonkers, was arrested last Tuesday, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York.

According to the complaint unsealed in Manhattan federal court, Smith worked for the Administration for Children's Services as a youth development specialist at Horizon. The facility houses youths who are alleged or adjudicated juvenile delinquents, juvenile offenders, or adolescent offenders and have been remanded to secure detention.

Prosecutors say that from April 2023 through July 2025, Smith received money in exchange for bringing contraband into the facility.

"For years, the defendant allegedly engaged in a scheme to smuggle contraband into a juvenile detention facility in the Bronx in exchange for cash bribes," U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said. "Rehabilitation of juvenile offenders is a challenge. It is only made more difficult when corrupt staff members supply contraband. This callous and hypocritical disregard for the rehabilitation mission calls for swift justice, including a message of deterrence."

The complaint alleges Smith met associates of Horizon residents in the Bronx and other places, received contraband including marijuana, tobacco and pills, then transported those items into Horizon and delivered them to residents. It also alleges that on at least some occasions, Horizon residents or their associates paid Smith monetary bribes in exchange for his agreement to introduce contraband into the center.

"Joshua Smith allegedly exploited his position of employment by the Administration of Children's Services to traffic contraband through the Horizon Juvenile Center," FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle, Jr. said.

The single charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, according to prosecutors.