Tiffany Culbertson, Bribery Scheme, Idaho 2019

A Meridian woman has pleaded guilty to her role in a bribery scheme involving a correctional officer at an Idaho prison.

Tiffany Culbertson, 23, entered her plea last week to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act extortion under official color of right, announced U.S. Attorney Bart M. Davis. Culbertson's sentencing is set for February 21, 2019.

According to her plea agreement, Culbertson agreed with an Idaho Department of Correction (IDOC) inmate, Colin McIntyre, 27, of Stanfield, Oregon, to pay a correctional officer at an IDOC prison to bring in contraband cell phones. Culbertson then followed through with the plan, purchasing a cell phone and delivering it to the correctional officer, Joshua Barney, 43, of Boise, along with a bribe payment.

Barney then brought the phone into the prison and delivered it to McIntyre, which was prohibited under IDOC policies.

Culbertson was one of three defendants charged by federal indictment with multiple crimes involving the bribery scheme. In prior court proceedings, co-defendants Barney and McIntyre pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act extortion under official color of right.

Conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act extortion under official color of right is punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment, a maximum fine of $250,000, and a term of supervised release of up to three years.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and IDOC's Special Investigations Unit.

Defendant/Respondent: Tiffany Culbertson

Criminal Charge: Conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act extortion under official color of right

City and State: Meridian, Idaho

Exact Date: February 21, 2019 (sentencing)

Sentence or Outcome: Sentencing pending

Company, bank, fund, or other legal entity involved: Idaho Department of Correction

Dollar Amounts: $250,000 (maximum fine)

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-id/pr/meridian-resident-pleads-guilty-bribery-scheme-involving-correctional-officer