Darsell Davis, Marijuana Smuggling, New Jersey 2015

TRENTON, N.J. – In a shocking case of corruption within the Essex County Jail, two Newark men have pleaded guilty to smuggling marijuana and cell phones into the facility. Darsell Davis, 29, and Dwayne Harper, 30, admitted their involvement in a scheme to smuggle contraband into the Essex County Jail, a federal pretrial detention facility.

According to the documents filed in this case and other cases and statements made in court, Stephon Solomon, a corrections officer at the Essex County Jail, smuggled contraband – including cell phones, tobacco, and marijuana – to Quasim Nichols, a federal pretrial detainee at the Essex County Jail, in exchange for cash bribes. Davis and Harper aided the smuggling scheme by collecting the contraband to be smuggled into the jail.

The scheme was uncovered between September 2013 and May 2014. Davis and Harper collected the contraband to be smuggled into the jail, and after receiving contraband and cash bribes from Davis, Solomon smuggled the contraband to Nichols, who ultimately sold some of the marijuana and cell phones to other inmates.

The inmates purchased the contraband by having friends and family send Western Union money transfers to Nichols, who then enlisted Davis and others to retrieve those payments for him. Davis obtained at least $4,300 in Western Union payments over the course of the conspiracy.

Charges against Nichols are still pending. The charges and allegations against Nichols are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Davis pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring with others to commit extortion under color of official right. The charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000. Davis will also forfeit $4,300, consisting of his proceeds from the conspiracy.

Harper pleaded guilty to one count of conspiring to smuggle contraband into the Essex County Jail. The charge carries a maximum potential penalty of five years in prison and a maximum fine of $250,000.

Davis and Harper are set to be sentenced before Judge Mary L. Cooper on February 11, 2015, and February 4, 2015, respectively.

U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman credited special agents of the FBI and investigators with the Internal Affairs Division of the Essex County Jail with the investigation leading to the guilty pleas.

Related Federal Cases