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11 Arrested In Prison Contraband Case

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By MARK DOUGLAS, News Channel 8

Published: January 26, 2008

BUSHNELL - The U.S. Attorney's Office in Ocala on Friday announced the arrest of 11 people in connection with a long-running investigation into contraband smuggling at the Coleman Federal Correctional Institution in Bushnell.

Nine of those arrested are Federal Bureau of Prisons workers, one is an inmate and another is the girlfriend of a prison worker.

The arrests are the result of several investigations that began in late 2005, according to the U.S. attorney's office.

Acting U.S. Attorney Carolyn Adams says the indictments announced Friday center on the smuggling of contraband, such as cigarettes, cell phones, a knife and heroin, into the prison by corrections officers, a cook and a correctional treatment specialist.

Investigators say such activity was possible because prison workers were not subject to search until a few weeks ago.

Adams said a pack of cigarettes would sell for $100 to $350. She said cell phones sold for $2,000.

Four of the prison workers were arrested or arraigned Thursday.

The inmate is being transferred from Coleman, and the remaining six started the process to plead guilty to conspiracy, bribery and contraband charges after their December arrests.

All but one of the cases involved the exchange of money for contraband at the men's facilities at Coleman. One occurred in the women's section and involved a sex act between a male correctional officer and a female inmate.

Investigators from the FBI and the Inspector General's Office conducted the corruption investigation.

The crimes are punishable by fines up to $250,000 and 15 years in prison.
FBI Special Agent in Charge Chris Bonner says the arrests were made without incident at the workers' homes.

Reporter Mark Douglas can be reached at (813) 221-1112 or mdouglas@wfla.com.

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