News Releases

Jamaican national found guilty of assaulting 2 guards at the federal detention facility in upstate New York

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A federal jury in Rochester has found a Jamaican national guilty of two counts of assaulting a federal officer. Each count carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a and $250,000 fine. This case is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).

Andrew Wright, 41, a Jamaican national, guilty of two counts of a assaulting federal officer. Each count carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a and $250,000 fine.

The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr., Western District of New York; and Michael T. Phillips, field office director of ICE ERO in Buffalo, N.Y.

In May 2010, the defendant was detained at the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility in Batavia, N.Y., pending trial on federal murder charges. While detained, Wright assaulted two guards at the facility. As a result of the assault and the ensuing struggle, one of the guards sustained injuries to his eye and shoulder. The other sustained injuries to his ear, shoulder and knee.

Charges still pending against Wright consist of federal murder and narcotics conspiracy offenses related to a triple homicide in Greece, N.Y., in March 2010. The trial of that case is expected sometime next year.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Everardo Rodriguez.