U.S. Department
of Justice
Press Release
Federal Correctional Officer Arrested For Allegedly Taking Bribes
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Florida
Ocala, Florida – Acting United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow announces the arrest late Tuesday of Albert Larry Harris (27, Lake County) on a federal criminal complaint charging him with receipt of a bribe by a public official. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison.
According to the , Harris works as a correctional officer in a penitentiary at the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex. Beginning in June 2017, he began providing inmates at the facility with contraband in exchange for large cash payments. Harris met with an undercover federal agent in Ocala on August 22, 2017, where he accepted a $5,000 payment and 200 Suboxone strips for delivery to a federal inmate. In the recorded transaction, Harris promised to take the drugs “straight to [the inmate].” He was arrested by federal agents after accepting the drugs and the money.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice - Office of the Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert E. Bodnar, Jr.
Updated August 23, 2017
Topic
Public Corruption
Component