Tanita Ellis, Methamphetamine Possession, Florida 2024

Tallahassee Woman Sentenced for Smuggling Methamphetamine into Federal Prison

Tanita Ellis, 46, of Fitzgerald, Georgia, has been sentenced to 15 months in prison after pleading guilty to possessing methamphetamine in a federal prison.

According to court records, Ellis was returning from a visit with family members when she was searched by corrections officers at the Federal Correctional Institute in Tallahassee. A 2.5-inch-long shard of methamphetamine was located on her person.

Ellis was previously convicted of peddling methamphetamine on the streets, but it appears she attempted to continue her criminal conduct in prison. Fortunately, the diligent work of correctional staff at the Federal Correctional Institute stopped her from smuggling the drugs into the prison.

U.S. Attorney John P. Heekin praised the efforts of his office and the federal partners in keeping the prison facilities safe and free of illegal contraband. Heekin emphasized that his office will continue to work closely with federal partners to prevent such incidents in the future.

FBI Special Agent Jason Carley also commended the joint investigation by the FBI and the Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Services Unit. Carley warned that possessing drugs in prison, whether for personal use or distribution, is not worth the added prison time.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eric W. Welch.

The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation's principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General.

For more information about the United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl/pr/georgia-woman-sentenced-introducing-methamphetamine-federal-prison