A brazen scheme to introduce contraband into the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Petersburg has led to the guilty pleas of two former Bureau of Prisons officials. Stephen Taylor, 48, and Shanice Bullock, 28, both from Petersburg, Virginia, have admitted to their roles in the bribery scheme that put the safety and security of the prison at risk.
Taylor, a former case manager at FCI Petersburg, received over $17,000 in Walmart-2-Walmart transfers from an inmate’s mother between March 2018 and March 2019. In return, he permitted the introduction of contraband items, including Suboxone, marijuana, cellular telephones, and tobacco. Taylor also received contraband and cash from the inmate’s girlfriend.
Bullock, a former correctional officer, pleaded guilty on February 9 for her role in the same prison bribery scheme. She took bribes from the same inmate’s mother to facilitate the introduction of Suboxone, marijuana, heroin, cigarettes, and cellular telephones into FCI Petersburg.
The guilty pleas follow a thorough investigation by the FBI and the Office of the Inspector General. ‘Stephen Taylor and Shanice Bullock flagrantly violated their positions of trust as federal prison officials by engaging in a bribery scheme inside FCI Petersburg,’ said Raj Parekh, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia. ‘Our Office will continue to seek equal justice under the law and hold accountable government officials who corrupt their oaths and betray the public’s trust.’
Taylor is scheduled to be sentenced on August 6 and faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. Bullock will be sentenced on August 11 and also faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.
A federal district court judge will determine the final sentence after taking into account the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kenneth Simon Jr. and Michael C. Moore.
The bribery scheme at FCI Petersburg highlights the need for vigilance and accountability in our correctional facilities. The public expects and deserves a safe and secure environment for inmates and staff alike.
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Key Facts
- State: Virginia
- Category: Public Corruption|Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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