Correctional Officers Among 18 Indicted In Prison Smuggling Investigation
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Two correctional officers were among 18 indicted as part of a investigation into a smuggling ring at the Jessup Correctional Facility in Anne Arundel County.
Six inmates and 10 outside facilitators were also arrested as part of this investigation.
This year-long investigation involved multiple law enforcement agencies across Maryland working together to bust this widespread smuggling operation of drugs and cell phones.
"You've got people doing life, plus for murder, in here that are facilitating operations outside of here using cell phones," said Stephen Moyer, Maryland Secretary of Public Safety & Correctional Services.
Using wiretaps, investigators uncovered an extensive smuggling ring at the Jessup Correctional Facility.
Those indicted face charges of conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substances, conspiracy to commit bribery, bribery, and the smuggling of contraband to include illegal narcotics and cellular phones into Maryland correctional facilities.
The two correctional officers face additional charges of misconduct in office.
The correctional officers arrested have been identified as Phillipe Jordan Jr., 38, and Warren Wright Jr., 43.
The following inmates were arrested:
- Dante Bruce, 43
- Kevin Cooper, 34
- Duane Dundas, 46
- Dwayne Gaffney, 36
- Jabraiyl Hale, 25
- Tyrone Johnson Jr., 53
The other 10 arrested in this case are below:
- Karisma Ashford, 28
- Raeniece Board, 24
- Donya Bruce, 43
- Katina Bruce, 45
- Latoya Carmichael, 30
- Seingwaeng Hammond, 25
- Marquis Johnson, 27
- Travis Johnson, 25
- Kianna Littlejohn, 32
- Thelma Powers, 56
Heroin, cocaine, and even cell phones slightly larger than a quarter were among the items smuggled into the prison.
Law enforcement from local, state, and federal agencies all worked together to wipe out this criminal activity both in and out of prison.
"We have absolutely no tolerance whatsoever for corruption of any kind in our state prison system or anywhere else in government," said Maryland Governor Larry Hogan.
These indictments are just another example of the deeply rooted corruption plaguing Maryland's correctional facilities.
In 2016, 80 people were indicted for a racketeering conspiracy at the Eastern Correctional Institution, the largest indictment in Maryland's history.
"This is only going to make us work harder, better, and bring in other partners from across the state so we can go after corruption in our facilities," Moyer said.
An aggressive fight that will continue for as long as it takes to end prison corruption.
"To anyone who engages in criminal behavior, make no mistake about it, we will find you, and arrest you, and we will prosecute you," Gov. Hogan said.
With this latest round of indictments, Gov. Hogan's office has supported more than 100 arrests and convictions of officers, inmates, and facilitators involved in prison corruption.
Over the past three years, the Hogan administration has dedicated $7 billion to crime prevention in Maryland.
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