After Speech Pathologist Arrested for Smuggling Phone Into ACI For Inmate, RIDOH Orders Probation

After Speech Pathologist Arrested for Smuggling Phone Into ACI For Inmate, RIDOH Orders Probation

The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) has placed a licensed speech pathologist on probation — for unprofessional conduct.

According to RIDOH, Inesa Vinarskaya was working at the Adult Correctional Institute (ACI) in Cranston, when she was herself was charged with two felony counts. 

Vinarskaya smuggled in a phone to her patient, who in turn shared it with other inmates —including one who was in prison on murder charges. 

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Now, more than a year after her arrest, RIDOH has placed her on "probation." 

 

About Investigation

In documents filed with the state, RIDOH says that Vinarskaya was working at the ACI in 2022 when she smuggled in a cell phone and gave it to an inmate.

According to court records, one of Vinarskaya’s patients, Fredrick Dahn, paid her $1,200 to smuggle the phone into the prison. 

Dahn had been arrested for raping and robbing a woman working as an escort in 2015. 

He then shared the device with another inmate, Sequoya Reels-Felder, who let his cellmate Darrell Johnson use it as well. Johnson and Reels-Felder were apprehended after they were caught attempting to flush the cell phone down the toilet.

Court records show Johnson had been charged with murder; Reels-Felder was one of six defendants sentenced in connection with the Providence nightclub homicide of Stephen Cabral in 2019. 

All three were arrested and charged related to smuggling the phone into the ACI.

 

RIDOH: Probation and Education for Vinarskaya 

Following an investigation, Vinarskaya was charged in March 2023 with two felonies for “conveyance of an unauthorized article to or from institutions” and conspiracy to commit a felony. 

RIDOH said that Vinarskaya “subsequently entered into a Court-supervised Diversion Program where she conducted community service which she has satisfactorily completed.”

“Following the conclusion of the Court-supervised Diversion Program, on July 19, 2024, an investigative Committee (IC) of the Board reviewed the allegations and the relevant evidence including ACI reports, police reports and RIDOH investigator reports and met with [Vinarskaya],” said RIDOH. “The IC found [Vinarskaya] to be forthcoming, remorseful, and accepting of her professional responsibilities.”

Vinarskaya has been placed on one-year active probation and is required to complete three hours of continuing education on “Ethical Challenges in Audiology and Speech Language Pathology;  Leadership Academy: Ethical Leadership and Civility; and  Everyday Ethics: Practical Tools for Navigating Ethical Dilemmas.”