In an impactful conclusion to a high-profile case, the final defendant in a racketeering conspiracy to smuggle contraband into the Chesapeake Detention Facility has been sentenced to 51 months in federal prison. Bernard Bay, a leader in the conspiracy, received the sentence from U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III, following the guilty pleas and convictions of other correctional officers, detainees, and outside facilitators involved in the operation. The conspiracy involved bribing correctional officers to smuggle narcotics, tobacco, and cell phones into the prison. This outcome marks the culmination of a thorough investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.

Summary

Bernard Bay, a federal pretrial detainee at the Chesapeake Detention Facility (CDF) in Baltimore, Maryland, has been sentenced to 51 months in federal prison for his involvement in a racketeering conspiracy. The conspiracy involved smuggling contraband, including narcotics, tobacco, and cell phones, into the prison. Bay, who was a leader in the conspiracy, is the final defendant to be sentenced. The sentencing was announced by the United States Attorney for the District of Maryland, the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI, Baltimore Field Office, and the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.

Background

The Chesapeake Detention Facility (CDF) is operated by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) under a contract with the United States Marshals Service (USMS). It houses federal pretrial detainees. The smuggling of contraband, such as narcotics, cell phones, and tobacco, into the facility has become a significant issue.

Details of the Case

Defendant’s Identity

The defendant in this case is Bernard Bay, a 53-year-old resident of Baltimore.

Sentence Length

Bernard Bay has been sentenced to 51 months in federal prison for his involvement in the racketeering conspiracy.

Supervised Release

After serving his prison sentence, Bernard Bay will be subject to three years of supervised release.

Prior Sentence

At the time of his sentencing for the racketeering conspiracy, Bernard Bay was already serving a 10-year sentence for possession of a stolen firearm. His federal sentence for the conspiracy will be served consecutively to his current sentence.

Defendant as a Leader

Bernard Bay played a leadership role in the racketeering conspiracy to smuggle contraband into the Chesapeake Detention Facility. He conspired with other detainees, employees, and associates of the facility to smuggle contraband in exchange for bribe payments.

Final Defendant

Bernard Bay is the final defendant in the conspiracy to be sentenced. Three former correctional officers, three other detainees, and two outside “facilitators” have either pleaded guilty or been convicted for their roles in the conspiracy.

Co-Defendants’ Sentences

Bay’s co-defendants in the conspiracy have been sentenced to between 18 and 51 months in federal prison.

Announcement of Sentence

The sentencing of Bernard Bay was announced by the United States Attorney for the District of Maryland, the Special Agent in Charge of the FBI, Baltimore Field Office, and the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.

Parties Involved

United States Attorney for the District of Maryland

The United States Attorney for the District of Maryland, Erek L. Barron, is responsible for prosecuting federal crimes in the district.

Special Agent in Charge of the FBI, Baltimore Field Office

The Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Baltimore Field Office, Thomas J. Sobocinski, oversees the FBI’s investigative activities in the Baltimore area.

Secretary of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services

The Secretary of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, Carolyn J. Scruggs, is responsible for overseeing the state’s correctional facilities, including the Chesapeake Detention Facility.

Contraband Smuggling Conspiracy

Location of the Conspiracy

The smuggling conspiracy took place at the Chesapeake Detention Facility (CDF) in Baltimore, Maryland. The facility is operated by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services under a contract with the United States Marshals Service.

Operating Entity of the Facility

The Chesapeake Detention Facility (CDF) is operated by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.

Period of Conspiracy

The smuggling conspiracy took place from at least 2018 through June 2020.

Contraband Smuggled

The contraband smuggled into the Chesapeake Detention Facility included narcotics, cell phones, and tobacco.

Bribe Payments

Bribe payments were made to correctional officers to facilitate the smuggling of contraband into the facility.

Relationship with CO Talaia Youngblood

Bernard Bay had a romantic relationship with Correctional Officer Talaia Youngblood. She met with outside facilitators at Bay’s direction to receive contraband and bribe payments.

Involvement of Outside Facilitators

Outside facilitators were involved in smuggling contraband into the Chesapeake Detention Facility. They coordinated with Bay and Correctional Officer Talaia Youngblood to deliver contraband and bribe payments.

Specific Smuggling Instructions

Bernard Bay sent specific instructions to Correctional Officer Talaia Youngblood regarding the smuggling of contraband. He instructed her on what items to smuggle and how to receive bribe payments.

Plea Agreement

Duration and Participants

The plea agreement in this case lasted from at least 2018 through June 2020. The participants in the conspiracy included Bernard Bay, other detainees, employees, and associates of the Chesapeake Detention Facility.

Types of Contraband Smuggled

The plea agreement implicated the smuggling of narcotics, cell phones, and tobacco into the Chesapeake Detention Facility.

Role of CO Talaia Youngblood

Correctional Officer Talaia Youngblood played a significant role in the smuggling conspiracy. She met with outside facilitators at the direction of Bernard Bay to receive contraband and bribe payments.

Instructions to Outside Facilitators

Bernard Bay provided instructions to outside facilitators on delivering contraband and bribe payments to Correctional Officer Talaia Youngblood.

Bribe Payments to COs

Bribe payments were made to correctional officers involved in the conspiracy to facilitate the smuggling of contraband into the facility.

Smuggling by Andre Davis

Bernard Bay paid a bribe to Correctional Officer Andre Davis, who then smuggled a smart watch and a package containing tobacco into the Chesapeake Detention Facility.

Prosecution and Investigation

Commendation of FBI and DPSCS

The FBI and the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) were commended for their work in the investigation of the smuggling conspiracy.

Prosecutors of the Case

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter J. Martinez and Robert I. Goldaris prosecuted the case against Bernard Bay and his co-defendants.

Additional Information and Resources

Website of Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office

For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to the community, visit their website at www.justice.gov/usao-md.

Community Outreach

The Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office engages in community outreach efforts to provide support and resources to the community.

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Contact Information

Contact Person

For more information or inquiries, contact Marcia Lubin.

Phone Number

You can reach Marcia Lubin at (410) 209-4854.

Updated Date

This article was last updated on July 19, 2023.

By Jesse Hull

I'm Jesse Hull, a retired Infantry Paratrooper and Outdoor Studies Major at Alaska Pacific University - and I am the mind behind Grimy Times - your portal to the darkest, grittiest news stories spanning the globe. With a tagline like "Grimiest News From Around The World!" you can expect no less. I bring you the most unearthed stories, guaranteeing authenticity without sugarcoating. From shadowy urban alleys to the most remote corners of our planet, my coverage knows no bounds.