Ex-Dublin prison guard ‘Dirty Dick’ accused by more inmates
DUBLIN, Calif. (KRON) — An ex-federal prison guard who was dubbed by inmates as, “Dirty Dick Smith,” is facing a potential life prison sentence after more alleged victims came forward.
Prosecutors said Darrell Wayne Smith, 53, sexually abused five female inmates while he worked as a correctional officer at Federal Correctional Institute Dublin in the East Bay. Smith is part of a sweeping sex abuse scandal involving several guards that led to the entire prison being shutdown indefinitely this year.
Smith is named in court documents by his legal name, as well as his nickname, “Dirty Dick Smith.” The U.S. Department of Justice charged Smith with 12 counts, including aggravated sex abuse, last year. This week, a federal grand jury charged Smith with 15 counts for crimes that allegedly occurred inside the all-women prison.
“The defendant’s alleged actions are some of the most disturbing charges we’ve seen for a former federal corrections officer,” said FBI Executive Assistant Director Michael Nordwall. “Sexual abuse scars everyone who survives it.”
The now-shuttered prison is located across the street from Alameda County’s Santa Rita Jail in Dublin. Its former warden, Ray Garcia, was convicted last year for abusing his power and encouraging a “rape club” culture.
A federal grand jury issued a superseding indictment filed against Smith Thursday.
“As alleged, Officer Daryl Smith engaged in appalling criminal acts when he sexually abused those in his care and custody,” said U.S. Dept. of Justice Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco.
“The 15 charges against Smith allege he sexually abused multiple inmates over several years, including brazen and violent acts. The Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General is committed to aggressively investigating allegations of abuse at FCI Dublin and across the Federal Bureau of Prisons,” said Inspector General Michael Horowitz.
Smith’s charged sexual conduct is now alleged to have begun as early as August 2016, and continued until 2021. The charges include six counts of sexual abuse of a ward, seven counts of abusive sexual contact, one count of aggravated sexual abuse, and one count of deprivation of rights under color of law.
Smith currently lives in Florida. His jury trial is scheduled to begin on March 17, 2025 with U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers for the Northern District of California presiding. “If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of life in prison for each count of aggravated sexual abuse and deprivation of rights under color of law,” the U.S. Justice Department wrote.
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