Former Correctional Officers, Two Others Charged In Smuggling Operation At Baltimore Jail

BALTIMORE (WJZ) — A national expansive assemblage connected Wednesday returned an indictment charging 4 radical with a conspiracy to smuggle contraband — including narcotics and phones — into Metropolitan Transition Center, a Baltimore jail.

Two erstwhile correctional officers, a detainee and an extracurricular facilitator were progressive successful the operation, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. Along with paying for contraband to beryllium smuggled, the detainee, identified arsenic 39-year-old Christopher Mann, paid for enactment and yet an engagement ringing for 1 of the erstwhile correctional officers, Shanese Butler.

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“Corrupt correctional officers that smuggle contraband into jails endanger the lives of their co-workers and the detainees entrusted to their care,” said United States Attorney Erek L. Barron.  “Prisoners tin usage contraband compartment phones to nonstop transgression enactment outside, which besides endangers the community.”

The indictment alleges Mann utilized a contraband compartment telephone to pass with the past correctional officers, Thomas Green and Shanese Butler. Mann had Green and Butler pass with an extracurricular facilitator, Cania Jefferson, to smuggle Suboxone, synthetic cannabis, baccy and compartment phones into the jailhouse from June to November 2020.

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Mann was paid via Cash App by different detainees, the indictment alleges. In August 2020, Mann paid Jefferson  $1,650 via Cash App to bargain an engagement ringing for Butler astatine Columbia Mall.

Law enforcement executed hunt warrants successful October 2020 astatine the residences of Butler and Jefferson. They recovered drugs, currency and, successful Butler’s home, the engagement ringing Mann had paid for.

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Officials said if convicted, each suspect faces a maximum condemnation of 20 years successful situation for the racketeering conspiracy.

CBS Baltimore Staff