Federal investigators conducted Monday a thorough search at the troubled Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Dublin, California, seizing computers and documents in an apparent escalation of a long-standing sexual abuse investigation.
This latest development led to the removal of several key officials, including the warden, amidst mounting allegations of misconduct and retaliation against inmates, according to a source familiar with the matter who spoke to Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
FBI Probe at FCI Dublin Amid Allegations of Retaliation, Misconduct
The search at FCI Dublin, undertaken by more than a dozen FBI agents, marks a significant turn in a yearslong probe into sexual abuse allegations at the facility.
The removal of the warden, Art Dulgov, came amid allegations of retaliation against an inmate who testified in a lawsuit against the prison.
Government lawyers revealed that Dulgov's staff had transferred the inmate to another facility in defiance of a court order, prompting his removal from office.
While the FBI confirmed its presence at the prison, it refrained from providing specific details regarding the operation. This comes as the latest event to cast a shadow over FCI Dublin, following a series of controversies and scandals in recent years.
An investigation by the Associated Press in 2021 revealed a pervasive culture of abuse and cover-ups at the facility, prompting heightened scrutiny from Congress and promises of reform from the federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP).
The investigation resulted in charges against multiple employees, including former warden Ray Garcia, who was convicted in 2022 for sexually abusing inmates.
The scandal at FCI Dublin has contributed to broader challenges within the federal Bureau of Prisons, which has grappled with staffing shortages, suicides, and security breaches.
In response to the recent developments, the BOP confirmed a leadership change at the prison, with Deputy Regional Director N.T. McKinney appointed as the interim warden.
Calls for Reform Intensify Amid Ongoing Abuse Concerns
Monday's search by the FBI follows a series of civil lawsuits alleging further abuse at FCI Dublin, highlighting ongoing concerns about the treatment of inmates and the management of the facility.
The prison, located approximately 21 miles east of Oakland, has gained notoriety as a site of rampant staff-on-inmate sexual abuse, earning it the grim moniker of the "rape club."
"They referred to it as a rape club," Former U.S. Representative Jackie Speier stated, as reported by ABC 7 News. "I wanted to speak with certain inmates there because I was told they had been raped and they had resisted letting me meet with them."
Inmates at FCI Dublin have faced retaliation for reporting abuse, including solitary confinement and confiscation of belongings, according to Amaris Montes, a lawyer representing plaintiffs in lawsuits against the Bureau of Prisons.
Since 2021, multiple employees at FCI Dublin have been charged and convicted of sexually abusing inmates. The prevalence of such abuse has raised significant concerns about the safety and well-being of inmates under the care of the federal prison system.
The ongoing investigation at FCI Dublin reflects broader calls for reform within the federal Bureau of Prisons, with advocates and lawmakers urging comprehensive action to address systemic issues of abuse and misconduct.
