Former FCI-Jesup correctional officer sentenced in prison contraband scheme
By Kendra Smith
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JESUP, Ga. (WJCL) — A former federal correctional officer has been sentenced to four years in prison for her role in a scheme to smuggle contraband into Federal Correctional Institution-Jesup in Wayne County.
Ashley Brown, 37, of Hinesville, pleaded guilty to 24 counts of accepting a bribe as a public official and 16 counts of money laundering.
Brown was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal system.
Investigators say Brown received more than $80,000 According to court documents and testimony, Brown worked as a correctional officer and later as a material handler supervisor at FCI-Jesup between May and September 2022.
Investigators began looking into Brown after receiving a report that she was receiving money from inmates at the Wayne County prison.
Investigators determined inmates used Cash App to send Brown money in exchange for her smuggling contraband into FCI-Jesup.
The contraband included methamphetamine, cell phones, K2 and marijuana.
Brown received more than $80,000 for her role in the scheme, according to federal prosecutors.
Two FCI-Jesup inmates also sentenced Two inmates connected to the scheme have also been sentenced.
Adrian Sims, 53, an inmate at FCI-Jesup, was sentenced to 78 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to possessing contraband in prison.
Navarus Bryant, 48, another FCI-Jesup inmate, was sentenced to 57 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release.
Bryant pleaded guilty to 24 counts of paying a bribe to a public official and 24 counts of money laundering.
DOJ investigation The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General.
U.S. Attorney Margaret E. “Meg” Heap said correctional officers are entrusted with maintaining the safety and integrity of federal prisons.
“Those who trade that public trust for personal profit compromise the security of everyone inside,” Heap said.
Special Agent in Charge Eric Fehlman of the DOJ Office of the Inspector General’s Southeast Region said bringing drugs and cell phones into a prison puts the entire facility at risk.
The case was prosecuted by Southern District of Georgia Assistant U.S. Attorney Bradley R. Thompson and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Ryan E. Bondura.
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