Keair Kemp, Smuggling Marijuana, Tennessee 2015

Ex-Correctional Officer and Inmate Indicted for Plot to Smuggle Marijuana into Memphis Prison

Memphis, TN – In a shocking turn of events, a former federal correctional officer and a federal inmate have been indicted for attempting to smuggle marijuana into a Memphis prison. Edward L. Stanton III, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the indictment yesterday.

According to the indictment, Keair Kemp, a public official and former correctional officer at Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Memphis, and Travonte Johnson, an inmate at FCI Memphis, developed a scheme to smuggle marijuana into the prison between mid-2015 and August 2015. In exchange for cash, Kemp agreed to smuggle marijuana into the prison and to Johnson, thus violating his official duties as a correctional officer.

Kemp, a resident of Memphis, has been charged with one count of accepting money in return for being influenced to act in violation of his official duties. He is also charged with one count of attempting to provide a prohibited object, marijuana, to an inmate. If convicted, Kemp faces up to 15 years imprisonment and fines of up to $250,000 for the bribery charge, and up to five years imprisonment and fines of up to $250,000 on the contraband charge.

Johnson is charged with one count of offering money to a public official, to influence the performance of their official duties. He is also charged with attempting to possess a prohibited object, marijuana, in prison. If convicted, Johnson faces up to 15 years imprisonment and fines of up to $250,000 for the bribery charge, and up to five years imprisonment and fines of up to $250,000 on the contraband charge.

The case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Office of Inspector General, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Erskine is prosecuting the case on the government’s behalf.

The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Kemp, a former correctional officer, and Johnson, the inmate, are accused of engaging in a plot to smuggle marijuana into the prison, violating the terms of Johnson’s incarceration. The investigation is ongoing, and it is unclear what led to the discovery of their scheme.

The indictment highlights the serious nature of the charges, with the potential for significant prison time and fines. The case is a stark reminder of the consequences of attempting to smuggle contraband into a federal prison.

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