Corrections Officer Arrested on Heroin Charges

BOSTON—A corrections officer for the Norfolk House of Correction was arrested today for his role in attempting to smuggle heroin into the facility for distribution and use by inmates there.

RONALD P. McGINN, JR., 40, of Bridgewater, was arrested today and charged with possession of heroin with intent to distribute.

It is alleged that McGINN, a corrections officer for the Massachusetts Department of Correction, was involved in a scheme to smuggle heroin into the Norfolk jail with the intent to sell it to inmates. According to the affidavit, in a consensually recorded meeting with an undercover agent, as well as in several text messages between the two, McGINN outlined the amounts he would smuggle into the jail as well as the fee he would charge to do so. In addition, it is alleged that McGINN discussed his prior success in smuggling items into the jail. McGINN was arrested this afternoon in possession of approximately 28 grams of heroin; he was to be paid $2,500 to bring the heroin into jail.

If convicted of the charges, McGINN faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment to be followed by five years of supervised release and a $1,000,000 fine.

United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Richard DesLauriers, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation - Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. The FBI investigated the case in cooperation with the Massachusetts Department Correction. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugenia M. Carris of Ortiz’s Public Corruption Unit with Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Christofferson of the Major Crimes Unit.

The details contained in the complaint affidavit are allegations. The defendant is presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.