Inmate Convicted Of Slashing Federal Corrections Officer In New York City Prison

United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, announced today the conviction in Manhattan federal court of MARIO POWELL for assaulting a corrections officer with a deadly and dangerous weapon and for possession of prison contraband. The jury convicted POWELL following a five-day trial before U.S. District Judge John P. Cronan.

"Mario Powell brutally assaulted a federal corrections officer with a makeshift weapon made of razor blades," said U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton. "Today, a jury of his peers held Powell accountable for this vicious attack. Our Office is proud to stand behind and pursue justice for our law enforcement partners who bravely put their lives on the line every day to protect the people of New York."

According to the allegations contained in the Indictment and the evidence presented during the trial:

On May 30, 2020, at the Metropolitan Correctional Center, POWELL forcibly assaulted a corrections officer with a deadly and dangerous weapon and, in doing so, lacerated the officer's neck. In order to commit the attack, POWELL obtained and possessed a weapon made of razor blades.

* * *

POWELL, 34, of the Bronx, New York, was convicted of one count of assault on a federal officer using a deadly or dangerous weapon, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison, and one count of possession of prison contraband, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge. POWELL is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Cronan on November 14, 2025.

Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

This case is being handled by the Office's General Crimes Unit. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas John Wright, Henry L. Ross, and Leslie B. Arffa are in charge of the prosecution, with the assistance of Paralegal Specialists Myrnette Millington and Phineas Santello.