3 Corrections Officers Charged With Smuggling Contraband

Patch
Three Florida corrections officers have been arrested for smuggling cash and other contraband into the Avon Park Correctional Institution.

AVON PARK, FL -- Three Florida corrections officers have been arrested for smuggling cash and other contraband into the Avon Park Correctional Institution, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd.

Officer Jules Loya, 33, Officer Nathan Lucy, 23, and Officer Victor Medina, 25, were investigated by the Polk County Sheriff's Office and the Florida Department of Corrections Office of the Inspector General after they received information that the officers may have been involved in bringing contraband into the jail at 8100 U.S. 64 E., Avon Park.

Undercover Polk County Sheriff's Office detectives posed as relatives of inmates, requesting the officers bring money and other contraband to their "relatives" in jail, and promising to compensate them for doing so.

According to the sheriff's office, the corrections officers agreed to smuggle in cell phones, cigarettes and cash for a price.

“These officers broke the law and intentionally undermined the integrity of the department and the institution they were supposed to protect," Patrick Manderfield, press secretary for the Florida Department of Corrections said. "Their actions do not appropriately reflect the thousands of upstanding officers we employ across the state. We commend the work of our Inspector General’s Office and our law enforcement partners to ensure their arrest, and we will begin the process of moving forward with their immediate dismissal.”

Loya was charged with one count of introduction of currency to an inmate and one count of unauthorized compensation.

Lucy was charged with two counts of introduction of currency to an inmate, one count of unauthorized compensation and one count of prison employee receiving unauthorized compensation.

Medina was charged with one count of introduction of currency to an inmate and one count of unauthorized compensation.

Medina has posted $1,500 bond. Loya is still in custody on a $2,500 bond and Lucy is in custody on a $3,000 bond.

Image via Polk Sheriff

From left, Jules Loya, Nathan Lucy and Victor Medina

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