RICHMOND, Va. -- Six people, including two correctional officers, have been indicted in a bribery scheme at a federal prison in Petersburg
The federal indictment charged six people with conspiracy to bribe staff members and receive bribes as staff members at Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Petersburg.
According to the indictment, the correctional officers, Stephen Taylor, 48, and Shanice Bullock, 28, received received tens of thousands of dollars to facilitate the introduction of the controlled substances, cigarettes, and cell phones into the prison.
Taylor and Bullock were paid via wire transfer over the course of the conspiracy, according to the indictment.
They also allowed an inmate gambling operation in violation of Bureau of Prison regulations, according to the Department of Justice.
According to the indictment, Taylor and Bullock, 28, received the money from inmate Dontay Cox, 37, and associates of Cox, including his mother, Kim Williams, 56, and girlfriend, Rameesha Smith, 36.
Officials say Cox worked alongside other inmates at FCI Petersburg, including inmate Travian Taylor, 29, to run his contraband scheme inside the prison.
All six defendants have been charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States. If convicted, they face a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
Additionally, Stephen Taylor, Bullock, Williams, and Cox have been charged with multiple counts of offering bribes to and receiving bribes by public officials. If convicted, each faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison per count.
Cox is also charged with possessing marijuana in the prison. If convicted, Cox faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
