BIRMINGHAM – A former corrections officer at the Federal Correctional Institution in Talladega has been indicted for taking a bribe to smuggle a cell phone to an inmate, according to a federal grand jury indictment.
Stacie Marie Gardner, 31, of Weaver, allegedly accepted $1,474 via Western Union in January 2015 in exchange for providing a cell phone to the inmate, according to the indictment.
Gardner’s alleged crime was uncovered by investigators from the U.S. Office of the Inspector General, who launched an investigation into the matter.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Davis A. Barlow is prosecuting the case, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the receipt of a bribe by a public official.
The indictment also charges Gardner with providing contraband to a federal prisoner, a crime that carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a $100,000 fine.
An indictment is merely an accusation, and Gardner is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
The case serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining public trust in the correctional system, and the consequences that come with betraying that trust.
Gardner’s alleged actions not only undermined the integrity of the prison system but also put the safety of inmates and staff at risk.
As the investigation continues, it is clear that the U.S. Office of the Inspector General and the U.S. Attorney’s Office are committed to holding individuals accountable for their actions and upholding the highest standards of integrity in the correctional system.
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Key Facts
- State: Alabama
- Category: Public Corruption
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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