Former Fulton County Detention Officer Pleads Guilty to Public Corruption and Drug Trafficking Charges
Scott is Third Jail Employee to Be Convicted This Year in Federal Court of Accepting Bribes to Smuggle Contraband Into County Jail
| U.S. Attorney’s Office November 29, 2011 |
ATLANTA, GA—Former Fulton County Jail Detention Officer AKIL SCOTT, 31, of Lithonia, Georgia, pleaded guilty today in federal district court to attempted possession with intent to distribute cocaine and to accepting a bribe of $650 to help distribute cocaine inside the Fulton County Jail.
United States Attorney Sally Quillian Yates said, “This former corrections officer is the third Fulton County Jail employee this year to be convicted of choosing to profit from the illegal drug trade instead of upholding his oath of office to protect and serve. He took advantage of his uniform and badge to make money accepting a bribe to deliver cocaine to an inmate inside the jail. This breach of public trust does immeasurable harm to our community and our many honest, hardworking law enforcement officers.”
Brian D. Lamkin, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Atlanta Field Office, said, “Public corruption investigations such as this continue to be a priority for the FBI due to the immense harm that can be caused from those who choose to disregard their sworn oaths. The FBI continues to work with its various law enforcement partners in such matters to further ensure that the public’s trust in its law enforcement community is not eroded by such individuals as Mr. Scott.”
Fulton County Sheriff Theodore “Ted” Jackson said, “This sends a strong message that corrupt activity will not be tolerated at the Fulton County Jail. The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office is giving full cooperation to the FBI as agents continue their work. This investigation is vital to ensuring the safety and security of inmates and employees.”
According to United States Attorney Yates, the charges, and other information presented in court: On August 11, 2010, SCOTT, while employed as a detention officer at the Fulton County Jail, accepted $650 from an undercover agent to twice deliver seven grams of a sham substance he believed to be cocaine to a specific inmate inside the jail. Immediately after leaving the undercover agent, SCOTT took the substance to the jail and delivered it to the inmate.
SCOTT was indicted in June 2011. He could receive a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000.00 for the drug offense and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000 for the extortion offense. In determining the actual sentence, the Court will consider the United States Sentencing Guidelines, which are not binding but provide appropriate sentencing ranges for most offenders.
SCOTT is the third former Fulton County law enforcement officer to plead guilty in federal court this year. On November 8, 2011, former Deputy Sheriff Marvie Trevino Dingle, Jr., 34, of Lithonia, Georgia, pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted possession with the intent to distribute cocaine inside and outside the county jail and two counts of extortion under color of official right for accepting more than $2,000 to smuggle drugs into the jail and to protect a drug transaction outside of the jail. On October 24, 2011, former Detention Officer Derick Deshun Frazier, 32, of Stockbridge, Georgia, pleaded guilty to one count of extortion under color of official right for accepting $300 to smuggle mobile telephones into the county jail.
Sentencing for SCOTT is scheduled for February 16, 2012, at 10 a.m. before United States District Judge Timothy C. Batten, Sr.
This case is being investigated by special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Assistant United States Attorney Brent Alan Gray is prosecuting the case.
For further information please contact Sally Q. Yates, United States Attorney, or Charysse L. Alexander, Executive Assistant United States Attorney, through Patrick Crosby, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Attorney’s Office, at (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the HomePage for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia is www.justice.gov/usao/gan.