Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility Logo

Warden:

Mr. Michael Nessinger began his career at the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility as Chief of Security (Major) in September 2017. Mr. Nessinger was appointed as the Interim Warden in August 2022 and appointed as Warden in August 2023. 

Warden Nessinger has over 27 years of correctional experience. He retired from the Essex County Sheriff’s Department in Massachusetts where he began his career as a correctional officer and worked his way through the chain of command where he held several positions including correctional lieutenant, captain and retiring at the rank of Deputy Superintendent.

During his career, Warden Nessinger provided working solutions that met civil and criminal detention management needs and was instrumental in developing various programs that were beneficial to the safety and security of the public, staff and detainees.

Warden Nessinger holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Springfield College.

 

Chief of Support Services (Major):

Anthony Lepore has been employed at the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility since 2015.  He began his career as a correctional officer with the Rhode Island Department of Corrections in 1981. During his tenure with the RI DOC, Mr. Lepore held supervisory positions within the chain of command as well as on various facility committees. He represented the rank and file workers of the Rhode Island Brotherhood of Correctional Officers Union as President and also held the positions of 1st Vice President and 2nd Vice President.

Mr. Lepore obtained a bachelor’s degree in education from Providence College and a master’s degree from Capella University in the field of curriculum and instruction. After retiring from the RI DOC in 2009, he taught high school at Richard Milburn Academy in Fort Myers, Florida. In 2010 he was selected as the Dean of Students (Discipline) and was the vice principal in the absence of the school’s principal.

Mr. Lepore first came to Wyatt as the Food Service Director with Aramark. Within his first year at Wyatt he was offered and accepted the position of Discipline Coordinator. He was later promoted to the ranks of lieutenant and captain. In April 2021, Mr. Lepore was promoted to the rank of major and appointed as the facility’s Chief of Support Services and currently holds that position.

Major Jacob Sullivan

Mr. Jacob Sullivan began his career at the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility in November 2007 as a correctional officer. Early in his career, Mr. Sullivan became a member of the facility’s Correctional Emergency Response Team (CERT), where he acquired a considerable amount of tactical and technical knowledge that would help propel his rise through the ranks.

Due to Mr. Sullivan’s knowledge, experience and dedication to duty, he has been promoted through the correctional ranks to sergeant, lieutenant, shift captain, Operations Captain, and most recently, Mr. Sullivan was promoted to the rank of major and appointed to the position of Chief of Security.

As the Chief of Security, Major Sullivan is the custodian of the facility's comprehensive security strategy. In addition, Major Sullivan designs and implements security related policies, ensures stringent compliance with regulations, and fosters a culture of safety among all personnel. His leadership transcends mere management, reflecting a commitment to upholding the highest standards of security and professionalism.

Director of Human Resources:

Leslie K. Jacobo started employment at Donald W. Wyatt as Human Resources Director in June 2021. With over 20 years of diverse HR experience in HR Compliance, HR labor laws, Employee Relations, Recruitment, Benefits Administration, Training and Development, Finance, Payroll, Policy & Procedures, and working with Collective Bargaining Agreements.

Director Jacobo is positioned to help assist Wyatt’s team of senior management and management professionals to utilize best practices when working with the Wyatt’s most important asset – its employees.

Director Jacobo prior to taking on her current role has served as HR Director & Executive Member of Hilton Providence, and Regional HR Director for Falvey Linen. Appointed by the Governor's team of the municipality, as the HR Director for the City of Central Falls, and Business Manager for the Central Coventry Fire District.

 

Director of Programs:

Ms. Lus Jimenez began her career at the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility in January 2019 as the administrative assistant in the Programs Department. Due to Ms. Jimenez’ tenacity and stick-to-itiveness, she has been advanced several times in her career to ICE Counselor,  Grievance/Evidence Coordinator, and Unit Manager (ICE and USMS housing units).

In 2023, Ms. Jimenez was chosen to lead the Programs Department and thus promoted to the position of Programs Director. In her tenure at the Wyatt Detention Facility, Director Jimenez has worked closely with outside agencies in order to bring programmatic opportunities to the detainee population.

Prior to joining the Wyatt team, Director Jimenez held a supervisory role at CoWorx Staffing Services.

Director Jimenez previously attended Johnson and Wales University where she majored in Criminal Justice.

Director of Facilities/Procurement:

Eric Martins has been employed at the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility since June 2018. Mr. Martins began his career as a General Maintenance Technician at Memorial Hospital located in Pawtucket, Rhode Island from June 2004 until January 2018. While employed at Memorial Hospital, Mr. Martins performed various preventative and corrective maintenance functions in the areas of plumbing, electrical, carpentry and HVAC. As a General Maintenance Technician, Mr. Martins sought and acquired a diverse background with considerable experience in the major trade disciplines, which has allowed Mr. Martins to excel at this, and subsequent, positions within the engineering/maintenance field. Since then, he has made great strides at the Wyatt Detention Facility from his beginnings as a Maintenance Assistant to Maintenance Supervisor, and now serves at the Facilities Director.

Director of Professional Standards:

David Tomasso has been employed at the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility as the Director of Professional Standards since September 2015. Mr. Tomasso is also a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE) and brings with him over twenty-two (22) years of law enforcement experience. Mr. Tomasso served twenty (20) years with the Coventry Police Department, retiring in 2013 as Detective Captain. During his career, Mr. Tomasso earned many commendations including the Medal of Valor, Meritorious Service, Distinguished Service and Law Enforcement Officer of The Year 2006. He also acted as the department’s Agency Representative to NICB, NW3C, NESPIN and a member of S.O.L.E.M.N. the U.S. Marshals Task Force that monitors, investigates and apprehends sex offenders.

Prior to joining the Wyatt Team, Mr. Tomasso worked for the CCRI College Police Department as a Lieutenant in charge of the Liston Campus located in Providence.

Health Services Administrator

Jessica Dupont is a registered nurse who joined the team at the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility in January of 2022 as the Director of Nursing.  Ms. Dupont excelled at this position, showcasing exceptional leadership abilities she was promoted to the Health Service Administrator in march of 2022 and is now the responsible health authority for all the health care provided to the detainee population.  HSA Dupont brings over 11 years of nursing leadership and healthcare management experience to this role. Her strong communication skills and treatment team leadership were foundational for patient success at long term care facilities and sharpened during the most recent pandemic vaccination team rapid response assignments. 

Director of Training:

Mr. Jeremy Sullivan has been employed at the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility since June of 2006. He began his career as a correctional officer. Early on, Mr. Sullivan decided to become a member of the facility’s Correctional Emergency Response Team (CERT), where he attained proficiency in both the tactical and technical aspects of facility operations.

Mr. Sullivan worked his way through the ranks where he has held various ranks and positions including that of sergeant, lieutenant, captain, Operations Captain, Administrative/Recruitment Captain, and most recently, the Director of Training and Recruitment. 

While holding the position as the Administrative/Recruitment Captain, he worked side-by-side with members of the Administration and Training Departments to adequately staff the facility. Director Sullivan has been a training instructor for both pre-service and in-service training for staff and is currently one of the facility’s firearms instructors.