BIRMINGHAM, Ala. A former corrections officer at the William E. Donaldson Correctional Facility has been charged for his role in a conspiracy to smuggle cell phones, controlled substances, and other contraband items to inmates at the facility, announced U.S. Attorney Prim F. Escalona and U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Patrick Davis.
A two-count information filed in U.S. District Court yesterday charges former Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) Correctional OfficerWilson Brian Clemons, also known as Mario Lopez and My Granddaddy Otis, 32, of Jasper, with one count of conspiracy and one count of using a facility in interstate commerce in furtherance of an unlawful activity.
According to the charging document, between November 7, 2021, and Nov. 23, 2021, Clemons abused his position as a corrections officer and agreed to accept bribes in exchange for smuggling contraband items into Donaldson. The charging document alleges that Clemons used a fake name to create an account with the mobile payment service Cash App so that he could accept bribe payments from inmates and their associates anonymously.
According to the plea agreement, also filed yesterday, Clemons has agreed to plead guilty to both charged counts. The plea agreement states that Clemons was stopped outside of Donaldson on Nov. 23, 2021, after he attempted to bring cell phones, marijuana, Xanax, cigars, and scales into the facility. Clemons has agreed to forfeit the money he made from the conspiracy.
The maximum penalty for conspiracy and use of a facility in interstate commerce in furtherance of illegal activity is five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
The U.S. Secret Service Cyber Fraud Task Force investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Edward J. Canter and John M. Hundscheid are prosecuting the case. The ADOC Law Enforcement Services Division assisted in the investigation.
An information contains only charges. The defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty.
Source: U.S. Secret Service