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‘DIRTY DICK’ LIVES! AND HE’S BEEN INDICTED…
Last week, I reported that an FCI Dublin inmate who reported she had been sexually abused by a BOP correctional officer had been told to reapply for a favorable BOP recommendation on her compassionate release “after the officer was charged or sentenced.” The inmate’s lawyer complained she could never get relief, because one of the abusive COs, known as ‘Dirty Dick,” had committed suicide after he learned that he was under investigation.
The inmate and Darrell Wayne Smith both received good news last week that the reports of ‘Dirty Dick’s’ death are greatly exaggerated. He is in fact quite alive.
The news was only sort of good for Darrell, because he is identified in a federal indictment both by his legal name and the nickname, “Dirty Dick Smith,” charged Smith with 12 counts including aggravated sex abuse, during his time as a Dublin CO.
In the indictment, ‘Dirty Dick’ is accused of sexually abusing three women identified as S.L.H., C.A.H. and L.J. None of the initials match those of the inmate to whom the BOP denied a recommendation of compassionate release.
Three days earlier, a female former inmate identified only as C.C., filed a civil suit in federal court against the BOP and CO Sergio Saucedo in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California alleging multiple counts of sexual abuse. The complaint filed by her attorney is graphic: she alleges that on May 14, 2021 – her first day in prison – Saucedo addressed all the newcomers by saying: “Welcome to hell, ladies. I am here to make your life a living hell, and to treat you like the pieces of shit you are.” She alleges that she was then “placed in a prison cell alone, leaving her a prime target for Saucedo’s abuse.”
She claims that Saucedo did not fear being reported, telling her, “No one will believe you because you are a felon and I am a federal agent.”
C.C. is represented by San Diego attorney Jessica Pride, who has filed five sexual abuse cases against FCI Dublin officers and plans to file 10 more by August, according to Oakland TV station KTVU. The station reported, “It’s expected that there will be an even bigger wave of similar suits filed against the BOP this summer as dozens of women have reported being abused by officers at FCI Dublin, where five officers, including the warden, have been charged, four of whom so far have been convicted.”
KRON-TV, Dublin prison guard ‘Dirty Dick’ charged with sexually abusing inmates (May 12, 2023)
KTVU, ‘Welcome to hell, ladies:’ Dublin prison officer sued in sex abuse case (May 9, 2023)
Los Angeles Times, Ex-corrections officer latest charged in sex abuse scandal at California women’s prison (May 15, 2023)
Complaint (ECF 1), CC v. BOP, Case No 3:23-cv-2206 (ND Cal, filed May 5, 2023)
– Thomas L. Root