Joseph Romano, Contraband Smuggling, Pennsylvania 2023

Joseph Romano, a 31-year-old former prison guard, has been handed a 30-month prison sentence for his role in smuggling contraband into two Philadelphia-area correctional facilities.

Romano, who previously worked at The Philadelphia Industrial Correctional Center and the Riverside Correctional Facility, was sentenced on April 25, 2024, in U.S. District Court to 30 months in prison.

The prison term was handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Paul S. Diamond, who also ordered Romano to pay a $1,000 fine, serve three years of supervised release, and pay a $200 special assessment.

The charges against Romano stemmed from an investigation by the FBI and the Philadelphia Department of Corrections, with assistance from the Philadelphia Police Department's Prison Intelligence Group. It was revealed that Romano agreed to deliver OxyContin pills to a prisoner in exchange for $1,000.

According to court documents, Romano arranged a meeting with the inmate's purported associate at locations in Philadelphia, where the associate handed over the contraband and payment to Romano. Romano then smuggled the contraband past prison security and delivered it to the inmate.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin Brenner. Romano's sentence marks a significant blow to corruption within the prison system and serves as a reminder of the consequences of attempting to smuggle contraband.

As a former prison guard, Romano had a sworn duty to maintain the safety and security of the facilities in his care. Instead, he chose to exploit his position for personal gain, putting the entire prison system at risk.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edpa/pr/former-prison-guard-sentenced-smuggling-contraband