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Rikers officers lied about headbutt to justify pepper spray, Bronx DA says
By
Charles Lane
Published Apr 29, 2026
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By
Charles Lane
Published Apr 29, 2026
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Two New York City correction officers have been accused of pepper-spraying people in custody at Rikers Island without justification and then filing false reports to cover it up, prosecutors said Wednesday.
In one report, the officers claimed a detainee tried to headbutt them, which was later contradicted by surveillance video, according to the Bronx district attorney’s office.
Adrian Houlder, 32, and Tarik Hawkins, 33, were arraigned Wednesday on charges including falsifying business records and official misconduct. Both pleaded not guilty and were released without bail. The officers are due back in court on July 1.
“These defendants are accused of using pepper spray on inmates in violation of department guidelines,” Bronx DA Darcel Clark said in a statement. “To cover up these alleged violations, the officers allegedly filed reports found to be inconsistent with the facts.”
The indictment alleges that three incidents took place between June 15 and Oct. 21, 2024 at the Otis Bantum Correctional Center on Rikers Island. Prosecutors say a review of surveillance video shows the officers used pepper spray without proper cause or provocation under Department of Correction guidelines.
Clark’s office did not say how many people were sprayed. A spokesperson for the DA said the officers were not charged with assault because there was no evidence of injury.
The Department of Correction referred the case to the city’s Department of Investigation, which worked on the inquiry alongside the DA’s Public Integrity Bureau.
“These correction officers betrayed their positions of trust,” Department of Investigations Commissioner Nadia Shihata said in a statement, accusing them of misusing pepper spray and falsifying official reports.
An attorney for the men, as well as spokespeople for the Department of Correction and the Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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public safety
Charles Lane
Charles is a Day-of reporter focused on breaking news and enterprise. He’s very friendly and can be reached at [email protected], or more securely on whatsapp/signal 631-295-6715
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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