Former Briarcliff Manor, NY police officer convicted of quadruple homicide related to a cocaine distribution conspiracy. Tartaglione was Epstein's cellmate at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) in New York in July 2019 when Epstein was found injured in his cell with marks on his neck on July 23, 2019 - an incident initially investigated as a possible suicide attempt or assault. Tartaglione, through his attorney, denied any involvement.
Epstein was later found dead on August 10, 2019. The proximity of these events made Tartaglione a subject of intense public scrutiny. He was sentenced to life in prison for the murders.
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Nicholas Tartaglione is mentioned in documents or reporting related to the Epstein case. Being mentioned does not imply any wrongdoing, criminal conduct, or inappropriate behavior.
This dossier was generated by AI (Claude) from court filings, government releases, and other documentary sources in our database. It may contain errors or misattributions. Always verify claims against the linked source documents.
Background
Nicholas Tartaglione is a former police officer from Briarcliff Manor, New York, who was charged in a superseding indictment filed on April 16, 2019, in the Southern District of New York with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances (cocaine) from at least 2015 through approximately April 2016, under case number S4 16 Cr. 832 (KMK). The indictment was connected to a quadruple homicide. He was described in federal documents as a 'subject of NY HVRA quadruple homicide who has been approved for the death penalty.' He was represented by attorney Bruce Barket of Barket Epstein Kearon Aldea & LoTurco, LLP, based in Garden City, New York. His Bureau of Prisons register number was 78514-054.
Tartaglione became a figure of intense public scrutiny due to his role as Jeffrey Epstein's cellmate at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) in New York in July 2019. The two were housed together in the Special Housing Unit (SHU) for approximately two weeks before Epstein was found with marks on his neck on July 23, 2019. Tartaglione was subsequently questioned by investigators about the incident. He was later convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the murders connected to his narcotics conspiracy case.
Epstein Connection
Nicholas Tartaglione was Jeffrey Epstein's cellmate at the Metropolitan Correctional Center (MCC) in New York. According to multiple federal documents, Epstein was placed in SHU cell Z02-201LAD with Tartaglione around July 8-10, 2019. On July 23, 2019, at approximately 0127 hours, Epstein was found unconscious in the cell with red marks on his neck in what was described as a suicide attempt via hanging. Tartaglione, as the cellmate, was immediately questioned. He denied any knowledge of the incident, stating he was just sitting on his bunk with earphones on. However, Epstein, upon regaining coherence, claimed that Tartaglione had tried to take his life. The MCC subsequently failed to preserve video footage from outside the shared cell on the night of July 23, 2019, due to errors in the facility's computer system. Epstein was later found dead on August 10, 2019, by which time he had a different cellmate. The proximity of these events and the lost video footage generated substantial public interest and conspiracy theories surrounding Tartaglione's role, though his attorney consistently denied any involvement.
Key Allegations(8)
Tartaglione was Epstein's cellmate at MCC when Epstein was found unconscious with red marks on his neck on July 23, 2019
documentedTartaglione denied knowing anything about the July 23 incident and said he was just sitting on his bunk with earphones on
documentedEpstein claimed that his cellmate Nicholas Tartaglione tried to take his life
documentedTartaglione's attorney Bruce Barket alleged that someone at the MCC facility leaked false information about Tartaglione in connection with the Epstein incident
documentedMCC failed to preserve video outside the cell shared by Tartaglione and Epstein on July 23, 2019, due to errors in the MCC's computer system
documentedTartaglione was charged in a cocaine distribution conspiracy connected to a quadruple homicide and had been approved for the death penalty
documentedJail guards were threatening Tartaglione after the Epstein incidents, according to his attorney
allegedA federal prosecutor suggested Epstein's legal camp may have had reason to leak information to counter the narrative that Epstein tried to harm himself
documentedLegal Status
Tartaglione was charged under superseding indictment S4 16 Cr. 832 (KMK) in the Southern District of New York with conspiracy to distribute cocaine and related offenses connected to a quadruple homicide. He had been approved for the death penalty. He was subsequently convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the murders. With respect to the Epstein matter, Tartaglione was questioned as a witness/person of interest regarding the July 23, 2019 incident but was not charged in connection with Epstein's injuries or death. His pending criminal proceedings were cited by the BOP as grounds for withholding documents under FOIA Exemption 7(A) in The New York Times Company v. Federal Bureau of Prisons, 20 Civ. 833 (PAE).
Notable Statements(7)
“Epstein's cellmate, Nick Tartaglione (not public knowledge), denied knowing anything and said he was just sitting on his bunk with earphones on.”
“EPSTEIN claimed that his cellmate, NICHOLAS TARTAGLIONE, tried to take his life.”
“This comes on the heels of our complaints to the Court. It seems someone in your facility has leaked false information about Nick.”
“This is so preposterous. He was questioned because he's his cell mate!”
“Nick's parents just left him and described him as nearly incoherent. Said he is as bad as he has ever been.”
“I met with Nick last night and he told me that you personally checked in on him and swapped out his books. Thank you.”
“Also, did he lob the same accusation at Epstein's camp, who might have a reason to leak information to counter a narrative that Epstein tried to harm himself”
Contradictions(3)
Tartaglione denied any knowledge of the July 23, 2019 incident and said he was just sitting on his bunk with earphones on
Epstein, upon regaining coherence, claimed that his cellmate Nicholas Tartaglione tried to take his life. This claim is documented in multiple FBI interview records and the BOP psychological reconstruction memorandum.
Tartaglione's attorney alleged that false information was leaked about his client by someone at the MCC facility, suggesting the leak was retaliatory because Tartaglione had been complaining about conditions
An AUSA internally noted that the complaint was 'preposterous' since Tartaglione was questioned simply because he was Epstein's cellmate, and separately suggested Epstein's own legal camp may have had motive to leak information to counter the narrative that Epstein tried to harm himself.
The video outside Tartaglione and Epstein's shared cell from July 23, 2019 should have been preserved as evidence
The USAO-SDNY filed a letter to the court in January 2020 informing that due to errors in the MCC's computer system, the MCC failed to preserve the video outside the cell shared by Tartaglione and Jeffrey Epstein on July 23, 2019, the night of Epstein's first incident.
Key Relationships(5)
Tartaglione was Epstein's cellmate at MCC from approximately July 8-10, 2019 through late July 2019. He was present when Epstein was found with marks on his neck on July 23, 2019, and was questioned about the incident. Epstein accused Tartaglione of trying to kill him; Tartaglione denied any involvement. [efta-efta00174087, efta-efta00092920, efta-efta00142820]
Tova Noel was a BOP correctional officer at MCC whose criminal prosecution, along with Michael Thomas's, was cited alongside Tartaglione's pending case as grounds for FOIA withholdings related to Epstein's death. She was interviewed by OIG and asked about Tartaglione. [efta-efta00117759, efta-efta00103416]
Michael Thomas was a BOP correctional officer at MCC whose criminal prosecution was cited alongside Tartaglione's pending case. He was interviewed by OIG and confirmed knowing who Tartaglione was -- describing him as 'an inmate.' [efta-efta00113577, efta-efta00103416]
Geoffrey Berman, U.S. Attorney for SDNY, was involved in the filing regarding the failure to preserve video from outside the Tartaglione-Epstein cell on July 23, 2019. [efta-efta00105466]
Adam Johnson was a BOP official to whom Tartaglione's attorney Bruce Barket directed complaints about leaked information regarding the Epstein cell incident. [efta-efta00068391]
Timeline(21 events)
Beginning of cocaine distribution conspiracy involving Tartaglione, as alleged in the superseding indictment
End of alleged cocaine distribution conspiracy period; quadruple homicide occurred in connection with the conspiracy
Superseding indictment (S4) filed against Tartaglione in SDNY, case S4 16 Cr. 832 (KMK)
Jeffrey Epstein detained at MCC; psychological evaluation and observation begins
Epstein placed in SHU cell with Nicholas Tartaglione (Register Number 78514-054) in cell Z02-201LAD
At approximately 0127 hours, Epstein found unconscious in his cell with red marks on his neck (described as first suicide attempt via hanging). Tartaglione questioned; denied knowledge, said he was sitting on his bunk with earphones on. Epstein later claimed Tartaglione tried to take his life. Epstein placed on suicide watch.
FBI briefing document prepared noting the July 23 incident. Media (Tracy Connor of The Daily Beast, NBC) contacts Tartaglione's attorney Bruce Barket seeking confirmation that his client was questioned about a possible attack on Epstein.
Barket emails BOP official Adam Johnson complaining that someone at MCC leaked false information about Tartaglione. AUSA internally responds that Tartaglione was questioned simply because he was the cellmate and the accusation of improper leaking was 'preposterous.' Barket told matter is under active investigation.
Barket thanks MCC staff for checking on Tartaglione and swapping his books. Later that day, Tartaglione's parents visit and describe him as 'nearly incoherent' and 'as bad as he has ever been.' Medical staff sent to evaluate him with potential psychiatric referral.
MCC Chief Psychologist approves Epstein to be removed from suicide watch
Epstein found dead in his cell at approximately 0633 hours. He was alone in cell #220, 9th floor L tier, with a torn piece of BOP orange bedding around his neck. Tartaglione was no longer his cellmate at this time.
NY Post reports that jail guards were threatening former Epstein cell mate Nicholas Tartaglione, according to his lawyer Bruce Barket
BOP Psychological Reconstruction memorandum regarding Epstein's suicide completed, documenting Tartaglione's role as cellmate and Epstein's accusation against him
Tartaglione's defense attorney Tony Ricco requests discovery regarding After Action Report on Epstein's death and any information related to Tartaglione's conduct on July 22/23
USAO-SDNY files urgent report (2020-01-49427) regarding failure to preserve video outside the cell shared by Tartaglione and Epstein on July 23, 2019, due to MCC computer system errors
BOP cites Tartaglione's pending criminal proceedings as grounds for withholding documents under FOIA Exemption 7(A) in New York Times FOIA lawsuit (20 Civ. 833)
Court hearing in NYT v. BOP FOIA case; judge notes Tartaglione's prosecution and Noel/Thomas prosecution as 'weighty pending criminal proceedings'
OIG sworn statement interview of BOP employee discussing Tartaglione's role as Epstein's cellmate and Epstein's accusation against him
OIG sworn statement interview of Michael Thomas (BOP officer); asked about Nicholas Tartaglione and confirmed he knew who Tartaglione was
OIG sworn statement interview of Tova Noel (BOP officer); asked about Nicholas Tartaglione, identified him as Epstein's first cellmate
OIG sworn statement interview of BOP correctional officer lieutenant; asked questions about Nicholas Tartaglione
At a Glance
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Document Mentions
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