The Captain Of Security Operations At MCC And His OIG Deposition (Part 1) (5/27/26)

Summary

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Podcast Summary: The Epstein Chronicles

Episode: The Captain Of Security Operations At MCC And His OIG Deposition (Part 1)

Host: Bobby Capucci
Date: May 27, 2026

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Episode Overview

In this episode, host Bobby Capucci examines the official Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General (OIG) deposition of Captain Jermaine Darden, who was head of security operations at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) in New York during Jeffrey Epstein's incarceration and subsequent death. The episode is centered on Darden's background and first-hand account as provided to OIG investigators, with an emphasis on clarifying his roles, responsibilities, and the MCC chain of command around the critical events of August 9th-10th, 2019.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction to Jermaine Darden and Interview Context

[00:45]

• Bobby Capucci describes the episode's structure: the Q&A format features the OIG investigator's questions and Captain Darden's answers.
• This deposition took place on June 15, 2021, at FCI Fort Dix, NJ, as part of the ongoing investigation into Epstein’s death.

2. Darden’s Professional Background

[01:30-04:00]

• Darden's career prior to the Bureau of Prisons (BOP):
  • 2 years as a correctional officer for the Colorado Department of Corrections (2004–2005).
  • Nearly 10 years in the US Army, leaving with the rank of E5/Sergeant as a topographical surveyor.
• Joined BOP in November 2005.
• Held roles including officer, senior officer, multiple lieutenant ranks, then Deputy Captain (GL12), and eventually Captain (GL13).
• At episode time, was serving as a disciplinary hearing officer at FCI Fort Dix.

Notable Quote:

“I spent 11 years. Almost 10 years. Well, nine years, 11 months in the United States Army.”
— Captain Darden [03:07]

3. MCC Tenure & Chain of Command Around Epstein Incident

[05:00-08:45]

• Darden was Captain at MCC from September 2018 to June 25, 2020.
• Clarifies who he reported to as Captain; primarily the Associate Warden (AW) of Custody.
• Confirms administrative confusion due to transition: AW over custody was on annual leave at the time of Epstein's death, leading Darden to coordinate responsibilities with alternate staff as directed by the Warden.

Notable Quote:

“Normally as my responsibilities, I would notify the AW over custody and also... would have conversations with the warden. So it would just depend on what the situation may be.”
— Captain Darden [07:25]

4. Details on the Weekend of Epstein’s Death

[08:45-11:40]

• Darden confirms his chain of command and responsibilities on the weekend of August 9-10, 2019.
  • Supervisor (Associate Warden) was out on annual leave; Darden communicated with others as per protocol.
• Addressed his cooperation with FBI, DOJ, and OIG interviews immediately following Epstein’s death.
• Clarifies his own tenure: started BOP career in Florence (2005), moved to Pollock (2009–2014), then MDC Brooklyn (2014–2018, Deputy Captain), then MCC (2018, Captain).

5. Breakdown of Security Staffing & Duties

[11:40-15:42]

• As Captain at MCC, Darden directly supervised about 13 lieutenants and, by extension, 125-135 line correctional staff.
• Explained the special housing unit (SHU) chain of command, daily paperwork, and the auditing of inmate rosters.
• Outlines roles of various lieutenants (administrative, SHU, SIS, operations) at MCC during the night of Epstein’s death; staffing schedules and assignments for August 9–10, 2019.

Notable Quote:

“My direct supervision would have been just over the 13 lieutenants.”
— Captain Darden [12:56]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On institutional confusion and protocol:
  “What I realized is that once the incident had occurred, AW Redacted responded to the institution, at which time her annual leave, I believe she canceled her annual leave and she assumed her position as a W over custody.”
  — Captain Darden [07:58]

• On his responsibilities as Captain:
  “Redacted’s primary duty is to ensure that the security protocols are met by his lieutenants and sub staff and that policy guidelines are being followed as set forth by the BOP.”
  — OIG Investigator summarizing, affirmed by Darden [12:32]

• On SHU lieutenant duties:
  “The SHU lieutenant, the appointed shoe lieutenant, has certain duties that have to be done daily but within the unit... not just the supervision of the line staff that work the unit, but also overall on running of the unit. Meaning that ensuring that all paperwork is done.”
  — Captain Darden [13:36]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:45] – Introduction to episode structure and purpose
• [01:30–04:00] – Darden’s professional history
• [05:00–08:45] – MCC chain of command and reporting during critical weekend
• [08:45–11:40] – August 9-10, 2019 procedures and post-incident interviews
• [11:40–15:42] – Detailed staffing responsibilities and SHU management
• [15:42] – End of main content; episode to continue in Part 2

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Tone and Style

Throughout the episode, Capucci maintains a direct, probing tone, focused on uncovering organizational details and responsibility rather than editorializing. Captain Darden’s testimony is methodical and detail-oriented, adhering closely to policy explanations and factual timelines.

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Summary Remarks

This episode lays the foundation for understanding operational dynamics at the MCC during one of its most scrutinized moments. By methodically examining Captain Darden’s OIG deposition, it highlights the complexities of institutional hierarchy, staff movement, and procedural adherence during the weekend of Jeffrey Epstein's death. Listeners can expect more detailed examination of investigative findings and firsthand accounts as this deposition continues in future episodes.

For full documentation and the next episode, refer to the links in the episode description.

Transcript

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What's up everyone? And welcome to another episode of the Epstein Chronicles. In this episode, we're going to take a look at the statement given by Captain Jermaine Darden, who was interviewed multiple times by the OIG's office in regards to what happened to Jeffrey Epstein while at mcc. And like usual, when I say question, that's the investigator. And when I say answer, that's Mr. Darden answering the question. So we're just going to jump right in with M swearing him in question. This interview with Federal Bureau of Prisons employee. Let me see. Is it Jermaine? Yes. Question Redacted is being conducted as part of an official U.S. department of Justice Office of the Inspector General investigation. Today's date is again June 15, 2021. This interview is being conducted at the west side. Where? Within the west side administrative building, second floor conference room, FCI for Dix in New Jersey. Also present is DOJ, OIG, Special Agent redacted and Mr. Redacted. This interview will be recorded by me, Senior Special Agent Redacted. Could everyone please identify themselves for the record and spell their last names? So they go through all of that stuff and then they start getting to it. Did you have any employment prior to the bop? Yeah, I worked almost two years for the Colorado Department of Corrections. Okay. As a correctional officer. And before that? I spent 11 years. Almost 10 years. Well, nine years, 11 months in the United States Army. Question. Awesome. Thanks for your service. When did you work as a correctional officer for two years in Colorado? I believe the dates were from July 2004 to November 27th or November 26th of 2005. Okay, great. And then you said that you were in. Did you say the Army? Yeah. What was your rank in the Army? I was a sergeant. Question. Honorable discharge. Yup. When you left, what was your primary responsibility? Basically, at the time, I was a section sergeant as a topographical surveyor. Okay. And what was that? It's a topographical surveyor. O. A surveyor. Indiscernible surveyor. Right. Question. Okay, perfect. And then you said sergeant. E4 E5. E5 question. E5 are. Alright, when was your enter on duty date with the Bureau of Prisons? 9 27, 2005. No, I'm sorry. 1127 2005. Question. And when did you graduate from BOP training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center? Answer. I believe it was March of 2006. Question okay, we don't have to go through it or I guess just briefly, I mean what positions have you held with the bop? You don't have to go into each institution. Answer Right. I started as a five step one. I've with more responsibility. I was promoted through six. Seven senior officer specialist. I was also a GL9 lieutenant, a GL11 lieutenant. I was a deputy captain GL12 and I was also GL13 and currently I'm at GL12 disciplined hearing officer at FCI for dicks. Question. All right, great. And is it correct that you used to work at the MCC in New York City? That is correct. Question all right. And what was your position when you were at mcc? I was a Captain. Question okay, and from what dates were you the captain? I was the captain from September of I believe it was 3rd, 2018 all the way till June 25th of 2020. Question. Okay, great. And then from what dates were you the captain? Answer I was captain from September of I believe it was third, 2018 all the way to June 25th of 2020. Question. Okay, great. And then was that your first assignment as a captain? Answer no, it was my second. Question, what was your first assignment as a captain? Answer My first assignment as the captain, I was a Deputy Captain at MDC Brooklyn. Okay, and then you got promoted and went to mcc? Yeah. And what does MCC stand for? The Metropolitan Correctional Center. Question. Perfect. And located at 150 Park Row, New York, New York. That's correct. Thank you, sir. As a captain, would you consider your supervisor when you were at mcc? Answer. It would be at that point. At that time we was transitioning. So I would normally I would answer to two people which would be the AW of custody, which at the time was redacted. However, he was transitioning when that incident happened. It was redacted as the AW over custody at the time. Question. Alright, so when you're talking about that time, are you talking about August 9th and August 10th of 2019? That is correct. Okay, so are you aware of redacted was still in the A W charge of custody at that time. No question. She was not. No. Basically what it was again with the area of responsibility that had changed prior to the incident. So that weak Miss Redacted was going to be even though her responsibilities had changed as EAW over custody and Warden Di had appointed or instructed that Ms. Redacted would then take over the responsibilities. But however, she was supposed to go on annual leave. So at the time Ms. Redacted was actually there as far as she was still in that capacity when the incident happened. However, again, the previous question that was asked normally as my responsibilities, I would notify the AW over custody and also a I would have conversations with the warden. So it would just depend on what the situation may be. So if there was instances where I would run things through the chain from the AW to the warden and there were times that I would take direction directly from the warden. Question. Okay, as far as though in this instance, if, you know, being that August 9th and August 10th, I believe that the first person you contacted, he gets cut off by Mr. Darden. It was redacted. Question. And that was because the other AW was out. Is that what you were saying? My belief is that she was on annual leave, which was stated that we had closed out on that Friday that she would be starting annual leave. Question. Okay, but the other AW was in fact your supervisor at the time. Yes. Okay. Okay. Which you just said was you went with Redacted because she was on. That's right. Question. Okay, have you since learned anything about like, was that not correct? Answer. Well, what I realized is that once the incident had occurred, AW Redacted responded to the institution, at which time her annual leave, I believe she canceled her annual leave and she assumed her position as a W over custody. Alright, how do you spell her last name? Ms. Redacted. Perfect. Thank you. Alright, so is it correct that you were interviewed by agents of the FBI and the DOJ and OIG back when this instance occurred in August of 2019? That is correct. Great. I'm just going to go over the report that was written in response to their conversation with you. We want to just go over for accuracy as well as to fill in some gaps that we found that we just need some clarification on. Answer. Absolutely. Question. So I'm just going to read it and you stop me if there is anything that you find that is inaccurate. Answer. Correct. Question. Alright. So Redacted began his career with BOP in Florence, Colorado in 2005. In 2014, he. He was transferred to the Metropolitan Detention center in Brooklyn to captain at mcc, his current position. He gets cut off by Darden. Yeah, there's a lot missing in between there. Yeah, yeah, right, right. So it says in Brooklyn. I miss this line. It says where he was made deputy captain in 2015. In 2018, redacted, was promoted to captain at MCC, his current position where he oversees security for the entire building whether

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Answer well yeah, there was a little bit missing there because yeah, I entered on duty and I started my career in Florence. However, I left Florence in 2009 and that's when I went to Pollack FCC Pollock and then from FCC Pollock from 2009 I was there to 2014 and then from 14 I left Pollock to go to MDC Brooklyn and then in 18 that's when I assumed duties at MCC. Question okay, so they have yeah, so I guess were transferred to the MDC in Brooklyn in 2014 and in 2015 was when you were promoted to deputy captain. Answer that is correct. Question okay, it says directly supervises approximately 13 lieutenants. Does that comprise all of the lieutenants this was at the time Was that all of the lieutenants at MCC? Answer correct question okay, and it has approximately 125 to 135 line staff correctional officers under his purview? Answer yes. Well you know when they say that, what they understand is that under correctional services that was probably the amount of staff that was again in correctional service as Subordinate staff. However, my direct supervision would have been just over the 13 lieutenants question. Okay, there are 130113 lieutenants, right? I thought you were saying GS13. Gotcha. Redacted also sits on the institution's executive staff, which also includes the warden. Redacted's primary duty is to ensure that the security protocols are met by his lieutenants and sub staff and that policy guidelines are being followed as set forth by the bop. Correct. Question. Among others, is responsible for the special housing unit. Lieutenant. Lieutenant. Is that correct? Correct. As an administrative lieutenant responsible for maintaining paperwork. So when you say an administrative lieutenant here, are you saying whoever was acting in the administrative capacity? No, I wasn't. Basically administrative duties. The administrative duty falls under the appointed SHU Lieutenant. The SHU Lieutenant, the appointed shoe lieutenant has certain duties that have to be done daily but within the unit. Not just the supervision of the line staff that work the unit, but also overall on running of the unit. Meaning that ensuring that all paperwork is done. Question. Okay, answer. All security protocols are followed to ensure that inmates or run rosters to ensure that inmates are placed in the correct cells or in the proper cells to ensure that they're supposed to audit said rosters to ensure that they have proper accountability of the inmates in the unit. Question. So I guess what I was getting at is like how the shoe lieutenant was redacted. Was there a specific person that was the administrative Lieutenant? Yeah, the administrative Lieutenant at the time was redacted. And you happen to know how to spell that last name? It's redacted. Thank you, sir. An S.I.S. lieutenant responsible for paperwork. And who was that? Answer which Lieutenant? Question Yes. Answer. Okay. And operations in activities. Lieutenant. Answer. Which are on the day of the incident. Question yeah. And would you like to see the duty roster for August 9th and August 10th? Question no. Okay. Do you know who it was? Answer. So I believe the morning watch lieutenant, when that incident occurred, was Lieutenant. What's her damn name? I just said her name. Question I can show you this. Answer yeah. Question. So I'm showing you duty agent roster from or daily assignment roster from Friday, August 9, 2019, as well as one from Saturday, August 10, 2019. And you can keep them in front of you just so you can. We're going to talk about people so you can reference the two. So right. It appears here it would have been redacted. Would have been the operations lieutenant on Saturday, August 10, 2019. And is it redacted? Yeah. Perfect. And what time did you work at that time? The shift? They were working a different schedule. The schedule was. I believe it was 10 to 6. Okay, so 10pm on August 9 to 0600 on August 10. Answer that is correct. All right, folks, we're going to wrap up right here. And in the next episode, we're going to pick up where we left off. All the information that goes with this episode can be found in the description box.

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