Ramon Cano, 28, a former correctional officer at the Taft Federal Correctional Facility, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for conspiracy to provide and possess contraband in prison in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§ 371 and 201(b)(1).
Fresno, Calif. — United States District Court Judge Anthony W. Ishii handed down the sentence yesterday, stating that Cano abused his position of trust and compromised the integrity and safety of the Taft Federal Correctional Institution. Judge Ishii emphasized that a correctional officer must be held to a high standard of conduct, and failure to uphold this conduct can seriously endanger all those within the confines of that prison.
Cano admitted to conspiring with Gerardo Alvarez-Montanez, 32, an inmate at the Taft Federal Correctional Facility, to smuggle cell phones, cash, alcohol, and controlled substances into the prison in return for payment.
“Cano’s criminal activity of introducing contraband into the prison placed fellow correctional officers and inmates they supervised at risk,” said FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge John Gliatta. “Those who abuse trusted roles for personal gain threaten the safety and security of the institutions and neighboring communities.
On September 2, 2014, Gerardo Alvarez-Montanez was sentenced by Judge Ishii to 60 months in prison for conspiring with Cano to provide and possess contraband in prison.
This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Office of the Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorney Brian K. Delaney is prosecuting the case.
The Taft Federal Correctional Facility is a medium-security federal prison located in Taft, California. The facility houses approximately 1,300 inmates. The incident highlights the importance of maintaining the integrity and safety of correctional facilities, and the need for correctional officers to uphold the highest standards of conduct.
The sentencing of Ramon Cano serves as a reminder of the consequences of corruption and abuse of power within the corrections system. It also underscores the importance of continued efforts to prevent and detect contraband smuggling in prisons.
Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release ↗
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