Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Rikers Captain, Guard Charged With Beating Teen Inmate
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Sep 5, 2015
Modified Sep 5, 2015
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Rebecca Fishbein
Published Sep 5, 2015
Modified Sep 5, 2015
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A captain and an officer at Rikers Island have been charged with assault after allegedly beating an 18-year-old inmate in December.
Medzid Kolenovic, a captain, and Jean Destine, a prison guard, are accused of luring 18-year-old inmate Ambirorix Celedonio into a supply closet at Rikers' Robert N. Davoren Complex on December 9th, then beating him bloody. Celedonio and Kolenovic reportedly got into an argument in the mess hall, where Celedonio worked—that led to the alleged beating. Kolenovic and Destine are accused of taking Celedonio into a supply closet before assaulting him, knowing the incident would not be caught on camera.
Prosecutors say the officers pepper-sprayed Celedonio and left him with bruising to his face and forehead. Later, the officers lied "on their use of force incident reports,” according to prosecutors. Kolenovic also allegedly falsified work compensation records, claiming he sustained injuries to his torso and hands in the incident.
Celedonio, who was being held on a gang assault charge, has an IQ of only 65. He has since been released from Rikers, and his case is sealed.
Kolenovic and Destine have pleaded not guilty. Their attorneys claim they were acting in self-defense.
Tagged
rikers
Rikers Island
Rebecca Fishbein
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Plainclothes ICE agent with long gun looked like mass shooter, Mayor Mamdani says
The mayor said his administration would review ICE and NYPD actions surrounding Thursday’s shooting.
By
Michael Sol Warren
Published Oct 11, 2026 at 1:49 p.m. ET
NJ Transit riders face 5 weeks of schedule disruptions starting Sunday
NJ Transit and Amtrak riders should prepare for cancellations, schedule changes and longer commutes as work continues on the new Portal North Bridge.
By
Giulia Heyward
News
NJ Transit riders face 5 weeks of schedule disruptions starting Sunday
NJ Transit and Amtrak riders should prepare for cancellations, schedule changes and longer commutes as work continues on the new Portal North Bridge.
By
Giulia Heyward
For a Democrat in a traditionally red NJ district, how to woo Republican voters
By
Mike Hayes
2 pedestrians killed in Bronx crash after driver ran red light, police say
By
Brittany Kriegstein
and
Ann Givens
Rain could put a damper on NYC’s long weekend. Here’s when it will clear.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .