# Metropolitan Detention Center, Guaynabo

The Metropolitan Detention Center, Guaynabo (MDC Guaynabo) is a United States federal prison facility in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico which holds male and female inmates of all security levels who are awaiting trial or sentencing. It is operated by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, a division of the United States Department of Justice.
MDC Guaynabo is located next to Fort Buchanan U.S. Army base, and is 6 miles (9.7 km) west of San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico.
In the wake of the destruction of Hurricane Maria in September 2017, some 1200 federal prisoners were transferred from Guaynabo to the Federal Correctional Institution, Yazoo City in Mississippi. Those 1200 were returned to Guaynabo in the first quarter of 2018, along with other prisoners who had been temporarily held in Atlanta, Georgia, Talladega Alabama, and Miami, Florida.

## Notable incidents

In 2010, an FBI investigation uncovered a conspiracy to distribute cocaine, heroin, marijuana, Percocet, and Xanax to an inmate at MDC Guaynabo. Several conspirators, led by Juan Rios-Ortiz, also attempted to provide cellular telephones, chargers, and SIM cards to an inmate of MDC. Rios-Ortiz worked for a company that had a contract to supply produce to the prison kitchen. Rios-Ortiz was subsequently convicted of conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, distribution of controlled substances, and providing contraband to an inmate of a federal prison.
On February 26, 2013, Osvaldo Albarati, a lieutenant for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, was shot and killed in what is believed to be retaliation for his investigations into cellphone smuggling at MDC Guaynabo. He had just left the facility and was driving home when several gunmen opened fire on his vehicle on the De Diego Expressway near Bayamon. Albarati worked in the investigative branch at the prison, where he was responsible for investigating crime within the prison, including drug smuggling and illegal cellphone use. Authorities have said his killing may have been contracted by powerful drug kingpins being held at the facility in reprisal for recent seizures he spearheaded. The FBI investigated the killing and no charges were filed.
On March 24, 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the prison reported that it was operating on a modified schedule and inmates were not allowed visitors.

## Notable inmates (current and former)

| Inmate Name | Register Number | Status | Details |
| José Figueroa Agosto | 35318-069 | Released in March 2020. | Leader of the largest drug trafficking organization in the Caribbean; apprehended in 2010 after ten years as Puerto Rico's most wanted fugitive and indicted for drug trafficking conspiracy and money laundering; known as the "Pablo Escobar of the Caribbean." |
| Áurea Vázquez-Rijos | 46255-069 | Now at FMC Carswell | Sisters convicted in 2018 for murdering Aurea's estranged husband Adam Joel Anhang Uster in 2005. |
| Marcia Vázquez-Rijos | 42102-069 | Now at FMC Carswell | Sisters convicted in 2018 for murdering Aurea's estranged husband Adam Joel Anhang Uster in 2005. |
| Al Sharpton | 21458-069 | Held for pre-trial purposes | Baptist minister, political activist and current MSNBC television host; convicted of trespassing on federal property for protesting against the US military presence on the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico. |
| Edward James Olmos | 21554-069 | Released in August 2001 after serving 20 days | Convicted of trespassing on federal property for protesting against the US military presence on the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico |
| Félix Verdejo | 51145-069 | Serving a life sentence | Professional boxer accused of killing a woman who was pregnant with his child. |
| David Oquendo-Rivas | 34348-069 | Now at USP Coleman | Convicted in 2013 for the 2009 Sabana Seca massacre |
| Alexis Candelario-Santana | 34421-069 | Serving a life sentence | Convicted in 2013 for the 2009 Sabana Seca massacre |
| Emmanuel Gazmey-Santiago | 48816-069 | Released July 17, 2018 | Latin trap artist known as Anuel AA, charged on illegal possession of firearms. |
* ↑ Official page website — Jose Figueroa-Agosto.
* ↑ Official page website — Emmanuel Gazmey-Santiago.