BRONX, N.Y. — A Rikers Island inmate has been indicted on multiple charges, including arson and assault, after allegedly starting a fire in his cell and slashing two New York City Department of Correction officers who responded to the incident, Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced.
Anthony Taveras-Morales, 24, was arraigned Tuesday before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Alvin Yearwood on charges including second-degree arson, six counts of second-degree assault, and multiple counts of promoting prison contraband. He was remanded and is scheduled to return to court on April 3.
On December 17, 2024, at approximately 8:40 p.m., Taveras-Morales allegedly ignited combustible material in the food slot of his cell at the Rose M. Singer Center’s Enhanced Supervision Housing. When a DOC captain ordered him to extinguish the flames, Taveras-Morales reportedly escalated the situation by adding more material to the fire.
Correction officers used pepper spray and attempted to enter the cell, at which point Taveras-Morales allegedly slashed two officers on the hands with a sharp object. A sharpened piece of plastic, a 6-inch nail, and a scalpel were later recovered from his cell.
“The defendant allegedly put detainees and DOC staff at risk by starting a fire in his cell. He allegedly slashed two officers who were attempting to rectify the situation,” District Attorney Clark said.