Related Federal Cases
- Joshua James Cannady, Conspiracy to Distribute, Iowa 2023 · New York
- Steven Hook, Methamphetamine Distribution Conspiracy, Missouri 2019 · California
- John Cruz, Counterfeit Xanax Sales, New York 2024 · New York
- Alvin Mitchell, Fentanyl Trafficking, Nebraska 2026 · Louisiana
- Marc Henry Johnson, Acting as an Accessory After the Fact, New York 2015 · New York
California Man Charged with Conspiracy to Distribute Narcotics
FRESNO, Calif. — A California prison inmate and two accomplices are facing federal charges for their alleged role in introducing narcotics into a correctional facility, leading to the death of a correctional officer.
According to court documents, between July 15, 2024, and Aug. 9, 2024, Jamar Jones, 35, an inmate at USP Atwater; Stephanie Ferreira, 35, of Evansville, Indiana; and Jermen Rudd III, 37, of Wentzville, Missouri, conspired to introduce narcotics into USP Atwater for Jones to sell. As part of that scheme, Jones and Ferreira had Rudd mail a letter laced with narcotics to Jones that was fraudulently labeled as legal mail.
On Aug. 9, 2024, a correctional officer at USP Atwater opened that letter and minutes later began to feel ill. After evaluation by medical staff, he was subsequently taken to the hospital where he passed away. Another correctional officer also felt ill after coming into contact with the narcotics-laced letter but recovered.
The defendants are charged with conspiracy to distribute and distribution of a controlled substance, with a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000. Jones and Rudd, if convicted, face a maximum of 30 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000. Ferreira, if convicted, faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000. If convicted of being an inmate obtaining or attempting to obtain narcotic drug, Jones faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000. Ferreira and Rudd, if convicted of providing or attempting to provide an inmate with a narcotic drug, face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine up to $250,000.
The case is the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons, with assistance from the Drug Enforcement Administration. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California also received assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Offices in the Eastern District of Missouri and the Southern District of Indiana.
Following the arrests this morning, Ferreira is set to be arraigned on the complaint in the Southern District of Indiana, while Rudd will be arraigned on the complaint in the Eastern District of Missouri. Jones will appear next week in court in Fresno for his initial appearance.
Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
Drug TraffickingDrug TraffickingDrug TraffickingDrug Trafficking