United States of America v. Leon Wilson

Brooklyn, New York, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with deprivation of right under color of law in violation of 18 U.S.C. 242, and use of a firearm during a crime of violence in violation of 18 U.S.C. 924(c)(1)(A)(i), 924(c)(1)(A)(ii), 924(c)(l)(A)(iii) and 3551.

Reported by Kent Morlan

Leon Wilson, a former correctional officer at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, used the authority entrusted to him as a federal correctional officer not to protect the public, but to engage in a dangerous and unjustified pursuit that culminated in gunfire on the streets of Brooklyn.

“Leon Wilson’s flagrant abuse of authority injured a civilian and gravely endangered the lives of countless other New Yorkers. The FBI New York’s Civil Rights Task Force is dedicated to holding accountable public servants who use their badge as a shield to hide behind while engaging in violent criminal activity,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Barnacle.

Wilson was on duty at MDC-Brooklyn on September 4, 2023, when he chased a civilian car (the BMW) out of the facility’s staff parking lot and off MDC-Brooklyn property. Wilson had no authority to pursue the BMW past MDC-Brooklyn’s property line, but he did so anyway and ultimately chased the car to the edge of the Brooklyn Bridge, approximately 3.5 miles from the facility. During the chase, Wilson exceeded the speed limit, passed other vehicles, and ran red lights. Approximately two minutes after the chase began—and nearly a mile from MDC-Brooklyn—Wilson fired several gunshots at the BMW, one of which penetrated the rear of the vehicle and struck the backseat passenger in the chest and lungs. Wilson continued to chase the BMW for several minutes after firing his weapon. He never reported the on-duty shooting to the NYPD, MDC-Brooklyn or Bureau of Prisons personnel.

The Defendant was found guilty and was sentenced to 200 months in prison.