Inmate Sentenced to 108 Months’ Imprisonment for Violent Crimes Committed at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn

Leury Mojica was sentenced today by United States District Judge Carol Bagley Amon in federal court in Brooklyn to 108 months’ imprisonment for assaulting a federal correction officer and attempting to murder a fellow inmate while the defendant was incarcerated at the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC-Brooklyn).  In April 2025, Mojica pleaded guilty to assaulting a federal officer.  As part of his plea agreement, Mojica also admitted to attempting to murder a fellow inmate and agreed that the Court should consider this conduct in determining the sentence imposed.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, and Christopher G. Raia, Assistant Director in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York Field Office (FBI), announced the sentence.

“Today’s sentence makes clear that there are serious consequences for inmates who endanger the safety and security of the Metropolitan Detention Center by committing acts of violence against correction officers and other inmates,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “Holding incarcerated individuals accountable for their conduct will deter other inmates from engaging in crimes and dangerous conduct in the jail.”

Mr. Nocella thanked the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York and the U.S. Bureau of Prisons for their assistance with the investigation.

“Leury Mojica physically restrained a fellow inmate to allow others to commence a brutal knife attack and continued his aggressive outbursts with an unprovoked assault against a correction officer.  Mojica’s combative streak recklessly endangered the lives of other inmates and correction officers.  May today’s sentencing deter any detainee from grossly violating law and order in our federal detention centers through violent misconduct,” stated FBI Assistant Director in Charge Raia.

According to court filings and statements made in court, in February 2022, Mojica was arraigned in the Southern District of New York and ordered detained at MDC-Brooklyn pending trial in connection with charges related to his participation in multiple robberies.  On February 28, 2023, Mojica and five other inmates attempted to kill another inmate in a knife attack.  Mojica actively participated in the attack, including by restraining the victim while another inmate stabbed him.  As a result of the stabbing, the victim suffered lacerations to his forehead and nose, and puncture wounds to his face, neck, lower back, and arms. Subsequently, on August 24, 2024, while detained at MDC-Brooklyn, Mojica punched a federal correction officer in the face after the officer asked the defendant if he wanted fruit with his breakfast.  The officer suffered a contusion to his face.

Assistant United States Attorney David Berman is in charge of the prosecution.

The Defendant:

LEURY MOJICA
Age:  22
Bronx, New York

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 25-CR-13 (CBA)