Former Parole Officer Sentenced to Prison for Bribery in Texas

HOUSTON – In a shocking turn of events, a former Texas parole officer has been sentenced to federal prison for accepting payoffs from parolees.

April Carson, 35, of Houston, was employed as a Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) parole officer and pleaded guilty to bribery charges on August 27, 2013.

As part of her duties, Carson was responsible for supervising state inmates, including parolees, their travel between states, and their activities to ensure they did not engage in criminal conduct.

Carson was found guilty of accepting $2,000 from a parolee on October 15, 2012, to allow him to travel while under her supervision.

U.S. District Judge Lee H. Rosenthal accepted arguments of counsel and a plea for leniency by the defense based on Carson’s lack of criminal record and sentenced her to 18 months in federal prison.

Carson will also have to serve a term of three years of supervised release following her release from prison.

The operation was a combined public corruption task force effort conducted by the FBI, Texas Rangers, Houston Police Department and TDCJ – Office of Inspector General.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James McAlister with the assistance of the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.

Carson was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to a U.S. Bureau of Prisons facility to be determined in the near future.

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