Bizarre Tale Unfolds in NYC Jails

BRONX, N.Y. (CN) - New York City allowed a sex offender who posed as an "undercover gang intelligence corrections officer" to sneak into jails, molest prisoners and even transfer them, one of his alleged victims claims in court.

Kareem Kilpatrick sued New York City and its Department of Corrections in Bronx County Supreme Court.

Kilpatrick, 32, was jailed on weapons and drug charges, according to the Department of Corrections Inmate Lookup web page. Kilpatrick was locked up at Manhattan Detention Complex, aka The Tombs, on Feb. 27 this year, the date he says he was assaulted.

Around this time, New York City gave sex offender Matthew Matagrano "unbridled access to various New York City jails," according to Kilpatrick's lawsuit.

Matagrano pleaded guilty on Oct. 2 to burglary and criminal trespassing, for entering Riker's Island and NYPD's Central Booking facility, according to an Oct. 3 report in The Village Voice. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison, according to CBS News.

"The 5-8, 340-pound Matagrano, 37, posed as an investigator and was somehow able to obtain credentials to slip past what is supposedly a robust security operation, including a coveted Gate One all-access pass, in February and March," the Voice reported.

Matagrano "had prior convictions for sodomy, first-degree sex abuse, burglary and criminal impersonation," according to the Voice.

In his lawsuit, Kilpatrick claims that Matagrano breached the "highest level of security," and "on numerous occasions searched inmates, sexually assaulted inmates such as the plaintiff, stole a radio and transferred inmates."

Kilpatrick claims he was "lawfully and legally in the day room at unit 4 North" when Matagrano, claiming to be a corrections officer, "proceeded to search and frisk the plaintiff," the complaint states.

"Mr. Matagrano sexually fondled plaintiff and threatened plaintiff with the use of force," it continues.

Kilpatrick claims he "sustained psychological damages and humiliation" and was forced to "submit himself to the medical/psychological care and attention to alleviate his injuries and his post traumatic stress syndrome."

He seeks damages for negligence and constitutional violations.

He is represented by Matthew Waller, of Manhattan.

A spokeswoman for the New York City Law Department said the city will review the claims when it receives the lawsuit.

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