An inmate at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York has been sentenced to a little over eight years in prison for a violent attack on a federal corrections officer. Mario Powell, 34, from the Bronx, received a 97-month prison sentence for his actions on May 30, 2020, when he slashed an officer's neck with a makeshift weapon crafted from razor blades, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York reported.
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton emphasized the severity of the crime, stating, "Mario Powell brazenly ambushed a corrections officer at the Metropolitan Correction Center in New York City, trying to slit his throat,” highlighting the serious consequences of violence within corrections facilities. The indictment presented at trial chronicled Powell's aggressive assault, revealing his possession an contraband weapon during the attack, as per the U.S. Attorney's Office.
The trial, which concluded in September 2025, led to Powell's conviction for assaulting a corrections officer with a deadly and dangerous weapon, as well as possession of prison contraband. Post-conviction, Powell is faced with three years of supervised release following his nearly eight-year prison term, adding to the repercussions of his actions within the detention center.
Aside from the prison sentence, the former MCC staff was acknowledged by Mr. Clayton for their cooperation with the case, while the investigative efforts of the Federal Bureau of Investigation were also commended. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Thomas John Wright, Henry L. Ross, and Leslie B. Arffa headed the prosecution, ensuring accountability for the violent episode that unfolded within the prison walls.
