OCALA, Fla. — Two federal correctional officers from Florida have been charged in separate cases involving bribery and smuggling contraband into a federal prison, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida (USAO)
Samuel Brandon Smith, 37, of Ocala, pleaded guilty to one count of receipt of a bribe by a public official and one count of providing contraband to a federal prisoner, the USAO said. Mr Smith was a correctional officer at the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex in Sumter County.
Prosecutors said that between December 18, 2023, and September 4, 2024, the correctional officer accepted $43,901 in bribes to smuggle contraband into the facility.
On September 4, 2024, Smith was stopped by Bureau of Prisons staff when he arrived for work. Investigators reportedly found 668.1 grams of marijuana and substances containing approximately 90 grams of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) hidden in his duty vest.
Mr Smith was allegedly planning to distribute the contraband to inmates in exchange for payments. He faces up to 15 years in federal prison for bribery and up to five years for providing contraband.
In a separate case, Michael Jason Brooks, 37, of Citra, was indicted on charges of receiving a bribe and providing contraband to a federal prisoner.
On June 12, 2024, Mr Brooks, who also worked at Coleman FCC, is said to have agreed to accept money in exchange for smuggling contraband into the prison. Prosecutors allege he provided an inmate with tobacco.
Brooks was arrested following the indictment. If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison on the bribery charge and up to six months for providing contraband.
Both cases were investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice – Office of the Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk Watson is prosecuting both cases.
An indictment is merely an allegation, and Mr Brooks is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
