Stephen Taylor, Bribery, Virginia 2023

Two former Bureau of Prisons (BOP) correctional officers at Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Petersburg in Virginia have been sentenced for their respective roles in a bribery scheme that allowed for the introduction of contraband into the prison.

RICHMOND, Va. – Former BOP correctional officers Stephen Taylor and Shanice Bullock were sentenced today for their roles in a bribery scheme that allowed for the introduction of contraband into the prison by FCI Petersburg inmate Dontay Cox.

According to court documents, Taylor, 49, of Wake Forest, North Carolina, Bullock, 28, of South Hill, and Cox, 38, of Baltimore, Maryland, along with other co-conspirators, participated in a bribery scheme at FCI Petersburg between 2015 and 2019 to facilitate the introduction and distribution of contraband across the prison facility.

The scheme allowed Cox to run a gambling operation contrary to BOP regulations and obtain and sell contraband, including Suboxone, marijuana, heroin, cigarettes, and cellular telephones.

Taylor and Bullock accepted monetary bribes from friends and family of Cox who were not incarcerated. In return, they permitted the introduction as well as distribution of the contraband items in the prison.

From October 2017 to April 2019, Taylor and Bullock received at least $46,841 in bribe payments consisting of both wire transfers and cash payments from individuals associated with Cox.

Taylor was sentenced to 4 years in prison for solicitation and acceptance of bribes. Bullock was sentenced to 10 months in prison for solicitation and acceptance of bribes.

“This investigation demonstrates the resolve of the FBI, the United States Attorney’s Office, and the Office of the Inspector General to ensure fair justice,” said Stanley M. Meador, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office. “FBI Richmond is committed to working with our partners to preserve the integrity of the system and ensure faith is not lost for those respecting it.”

Stephen Taylor, Solicitation and Acceptance of Bribes, Richmond, Virginia, 2023. Taylor, 49, of Wake Forest, North Carolina, was sentenced to 4 years in prison for solicitation and acceptance of bribes. He received at least $46,841 in bribe payments from individuals associated with Cox.

Shanice Bullock, Solicitation and Acceptance of Bribes, Richmond, Virginia, 2023. Bullock, 28, of South Hill, was sentenced to 10 months in prison for solicitation and acceptance of bribes.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Office of the Inspector General. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia.”

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