U.S. Department
of Justice
Press Release
Two G.E.O. Guards Indicted for Attempting to Provide Contraband to Prisoners
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Texas
In San Antonio, a federal grand jury indicted two prison employees at the Central Texas Detention Facility – GEO (GEO) for allegedly attempting to provide contraband to inmates inside the federal detention facility announced United States Attorney John F. Bash, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Christopher Combs, San Antonio Division, and Drug Enforcement Administration Special Agent in Charge Will Glaspy, Houston Division.
In the first of two indictments returned last week, 37-year-old GEO guard Jewel Roberto Jefferson of San Antonio, 38-year-old GEO detainee Brian Keith Gonzalez of San Antonio and 36–year-old Stephanie Ann Villarreal of San Antonio are charged with one count of providing contraband in prison. According to court records, Jefferson allegedly agreed to smuggle crystal methamphetamine, heroin and hydroponic marijuana into the facility and give it to Gonzalez in exchange for $1,000. On November 21, 2017, agents arrested Jefferson immediately after he accepted payment but before he could smuggle in the contraband. DEA agents investigated this case.
In the second indictment, 27-year-old GEO guard Abigail Jolynn Abrego and 55–year-old Leonard Belmares of San Antonio are charged with one count of providing contraband in prison. According to court records, on November 12, 2017, Abrego and Belmares met with an undercover agent and agreed that Abrego would smuggle crystal methamphetamine to a GEO detainee in exchange for $1,500. Agents arrested Abrego and Belmares after Belmares took possession of the cash and a package containing sham crystal methamphetamine. FBI agents investigated this case.
If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years in federal prison and a maximum $250,000 fine. All of the defendants, with the exception of Gonzalez, are currently on bond.
Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Wannarka is prosecuting these cases on behalf of the Government.
An indictment is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Updated December 15, 2017
Topics
Drug Trafficking
Public Corruption
Component