Former corrections officer receives 15-month sentence for smuggling drugs, Yeezys into federal prison
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – A former corrections officer was sentenced to prison Monday after he was involved in smuggling contraband into the federal prison for money, the district attorney’s office announced Monday.
Nickolas Carlos Herrera, 40, smuggled items such as food, clothing, drugs and cigarettes into the Federal Correctional Institution in Sheridan, Ore. for one of his inmates between April 2015 and December 2019.
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The inmate, 40-year-old Donte Hunt, had been in custody on charges of drug, gun, and money laundering. He received several items – including Yeezy brand designer sneakers and a cell phone – through Herrera from a friend outside the prison.
Investigators found that Herrera accepted payment in exchange for smuggling the items, and even allowed Hunt to use a staff phone at the prison to arrange a delivery.
In May 2022, Herrera pleaded guilty to conspiracy, providing contraband in prison, and accepting a bribe as a public official. More than a year later, Hunt pled guilty to conspiracy and bribing a public official.
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On Monday, Herrera was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release.
“Corruption by any public official or law enforcement officer is unacceptable,” Aubree M. Schwartz with the FBI said. “Mr. Herrera dishonored both himself and the law he swore to uphold, as well as the justice system he represents, by allowing a free flow of criminal activity in and out of the prison.”
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