Two Rikers Island correction officers are behind bars in connection with the assault on an inmate that caused the man to permanently lose the sight in one eye.
Victor Rodman, 53, was convicted of third degree assault and falsifying business records and sentenced to 90 days in jail and 250 hours of community service and a three-year conditional discharge. Michelle Hubert, 47, was convicted of falsifying business records and was sentenced to 200 hours community service and a three-year conditional discharge.
On July 8, 2009, Rodman was visiting Hubert in the George R. Vierno Center’s Building 19 “bubble,” the control center that sits between two wings of the housing unit. After a fight broke out between inmate Carlos Sanchez and another inmate, Sanchez found himself alone with Rodman in the vestibule area. Rodman struck Sanchez once in the face, causing a broken nose, and permanent loss of vision in his left eye.
According to the Bronx D.A.’s office, Rodman and Hubert attempted to cover up the assault as well as Rodman’s presence in the building by claiming in reports that then Rodman was not there. Eyewitness testimony and surveillance video contradicted their accounts.
Rodman, a correction officer since 1987, had been suspended without pay, but resigned from his job after being indicted. Hubert, who joined the Department of Correction in 2006, was also suspended without pay and fired following her conviction.