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Federal Correctional Officer Sentenced for Bribery and Smuggling Contraband
Ocala, Florida – In a shocking case of corruption within the nation’s prison system, Samuel Brandon Smith, a 38-year-old correctional officer from Ocala, Florida, has been sentenced to 3 years and 1 month in federal prison for accepting bribes and smuggling contraband into a federal prison.
According to court records, Smith pleaded guilty in February 2025 to receipt of a bribe by a public official and providing contraband to a federal prisoner. The court also ordered Smith to forfeit $43,901, which represents the proceeds of these offenses.
Smith was a correctional officer with the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and worked at the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex (FCC Coleman) in Sumter County. As an employee of a government agency, Smith was a ‘public official’ under federal law.
Between December 18, 2023, and September 4, 2024, Smith received $43,901 in bribes to smuggle contraband into FCC Coleman for inmates. On September 4, 2024, when Smith reported to work at FCC Coleman, staff members searched him and found 668 grams of marijuana and other controlled substances hidden within his duty vest.
Smith was smuggling this contraband into the facility with the intent to distribute it to federal prisoners in exchange for monetary payments. This case was investigated by the United States Office of the Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk Watson.
Smith’s sentence sends a strong message that corruption within the prison system will not be tolerated. ‘This sentence is a testament to the dedication of law enforcement agencies and prosecutors who worked tirelessly to bring this case to justice,’ said a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
As a result of this case, Smith will no longer be able to serve as a correctional officer and will be required to forfeit the proceeds of his crimes. The community can rest assured that those who betray the public trust will face severe consequences.
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Public Corruption|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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