A federal corrections officer is facing up to 15 years in federal prison if found guilty of smuggling contraband with acceptance of a bribe by a public official, according to the Department of Justice.
U.S. Attorney A. Lee Bentley III announced Thursday an indictment against corrections officer, Robert Lawrence Brown, 32, for allegedly using his position as an officer at the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex in Sumter County to smuggle contraband to inmates.
Brown smuggled the items in exchange for illegal monetary payments beginning in January 2015, according to court documents.
Federal agents were able to monitor a meeting with Brown and a witness. Investigators said Brown accepted a $2,600 bribe for items that were already smuggled inside the prison.
Brown later confessed that he had illegally negotiated $7,100 in cash payments in return for smuggling telephones, prescription pills, tobacco and other items.
In the indictment against Brown, the United States intends to forfeit $7,100, which is believed to be traceable as a proceeds of the offense, according to the Justice Department.