Former federal correctional officer Ashley Brown was sentenced to four years in prison after admitting she accepted more than $80,000 in bribes to bring drugs, cell phones and other contraband into Federal Correctional Institution Jesup.
U.S. District Judge Lisa Godbey Wood imposed the 48-month sentence, followed by three years of supervised release, WSB-TV reported. Brown, 37, of Hinesville, pleaded guilty to 24 counts of accepting a bribe as a public official and 16 counts of money laundering. There is no parole in the federal system.
Brown worked as a correctional officer and later a material handler supervisor at FCI Jesup from May through September 2022. A February plea announcement said inmates and associates sent payments through Cash App accounts using the fictitious names “Bonnie Bonnie,” “Clyde Clyde” and “Honey Honey.”
Investigators said Brown moved the money into her personal Cash App account to conceal its source. In exchange, she allowed methamphetamine, marijuana, synthetic cannabinoid K2, cell phones, postage stamps and cigarettes into the prison. Court records say co-defendants distributed contraband through the facility’s commissary system.
Two inmates tied to the operation received federal sentences. Adrian “Abe” Sims, 53, was sentenced to 78 months after pleading guilty to possessing contraband. Navarus “Tez” Bryant, 48, received 57 months after pleading guilty to 24 bribery counts and 24 money laundering counts, WTOC reported. Both received three years of supervised release.
Five other current or former inmates previously pleaded guilty, receiving terms ranging from probation to additional one-month prison sentences. Inspector General records document related convictions involving cell phones, marijuana and K2.
The Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General investigated the scheme. U.S. Attorney Margaret “Meg” Heap said employees who trade public trust for personal profit compromise prison safety. Inspector General official Eric Fehlman said introducing drugs and phones puts the entire facility at risk.
