Ex-California prison guard pleads guilty to accepting bribes for smuggling cell phones
(FOX40.COM) — A former correctional officer from Northern California pleaded guilty on Thursday to accepting bribes to smuggle cell phones into a state medical facility, according to the U.S. Dept. of Justice.
The Suisun City man was employed at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville and received more than $45,000 in bribes between 2021 and 2023, the DOJ said.
Northern California resident wins $420K jackpot from Hard Rock Casino
Inmates paid bribes for the man to smuggle cell phones into the medium security facility, which is dedicated to providing medical, mental and dental health needs of men incarcerated in California, the DOJ said.
The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, which manages state prisons, said thousands of cell phones are confiscated at its facilities every year, with more than 4,200 discovered in 2022, the last full year for which the dept. has published data.
The investigation included help from the FBI. The ex-guard will be sentenced on September 12 and could face up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40.
