Ft. Dix corrections officer pleads guilty to smuggling

[Greg]

Ft. Dix corrections officer pleads guilty to smuggling | The Times of Trenton (NJ)

Posted by Michael Ratcliffe/The Times September 25, 2007 8:06PM
Categories: Courts

A suspended corrections officer admitted in federal court in Newark on Tuesday that he smuggled tobacco products into the federal prison at Fort Dix, U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie announced.

Christie said Terrence Street, 31, of Lumberton, pleaded guilty to one count of corruption in the performance of his official duties

Street, who was suspended by officials at Fort Dix after his arrest by special agents from the Department of Justice on May 10, was released after posting a $50,000 unsecured bond and will remain free until he is sentenced on Jan. 22, Christie said.

In pleading guilty, Street admitted before U.S. District Court Judge Dennis M. Cavanaugh that in December 2005 he agreed to sell tobacco products to an inmate, who would in turn sell the tobacco to other prisoners at Fort Dix.

Unbeknownst to Street, the inmate was cooperating with federal law enforcement authorities, Christie said.

For about five months, Street smuggled in dozens of cartons, pouches, and bags of tobacco products that he gave to the inmate in exchange for several thousands of dollars in payment. Christie said Street often had the inmate send the money to him through wire transfers and sometimes using false names to collect the payoffs.

Street also admitted in court on Tuesday that he also agreed to sell 50 pounds of rolling tobacco to another inmate - who was also cooperating with authorities - and later met that inmate's wife at a Cherry Hill restaurant to collect his payment of $6,500, Christie said.

The corruption charge to which Street pleaded guilty carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison and a fine of at least $250,000, Christie said.

[Crosstimbers Okie]

It's about time someone in the BOP got busted for smuggling tobacco...

[shakedownshorti]

That's how it always starts out, with what outside people would consider the "small" stuff, once they get their hand in the inmate cookie jar it always escalates from there.....first tobacco, next drugs, cell phones, clothes, weapons etc..........(not in any particular order) I think their punishment should be the maximum allowable by a court, male or female!!!

[Bobshouse]

Every individual who is hired to protect society should be sentenced to the maximum sentence automatically for misuse of the public trust. We expect nothing less from our police and law enforcement officials. In fact, higher guidelines should be established for individuals who misuse public trust, and use their positions for illicit purposes.

People read "tobacco" and think nothing of it. It is no longer allowed within the Federal System, and in my eyes, introducing it is just as bad as bringing in Heroin or Crack.

[jblake]

I agree bobhouse, tobacco causes major security issues.

[shakedownshorti]

I think that is basically what I said.....it is a BIG deal, anything brought into an inmate IS a BIG deal! Nothing should go unpunished!

[USPOIC]

I hope he gets jail time in the bop, so he can look at all the COs in the face and say his food is cold in SHU or he needs TP.

[BossMan]

See you soon, inmate Street...

[FracDiesel]

Busted!!! Police the "Police"!!

[keykeeper]

We recently had a CO escorted out of our institution. It was reported that over six months he was paid around $60,000 for cell phones and tobacco.