November 5, 2015

Convicted Former Parole Officer Sentenced for Accepting Money from a Parolee Under Her Supervision

DALLAS—Breanna Polk, 32, of Dallas, was sentenced today by U.S. District Judge Jane J. Boyle to six months in federal prison, following her guilty plea in June 2015 to one count of honest services wire fraud, announced U.S. Attorney John Parker of the Northern District of Texas.

Polk, who has been on bond, must surrender to the Bureau of Prisons on January 6, 2016.

According to plea documents filed in the case, on August 2, 2007, a parolee with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) reported to his parole officer, Polk, at the Garland, Texas, parole office. Polk advised the individual she planned to take a trip to Florida to celebrate her birthday. The parolee left approximately $500 on Polk’s desk. On at least two other occasions between August 2007 and March 2010, the same individual paid more than $500 to receive favorable treatment from Polk concerning the conditions of his parole.

In March 2010, the parolee absconded to Mexico to avoid DEA law enforcement in connection with his illegal drug distribution. The parolee paid Polk $2,000 to assist him in avoiding law enforcement by indicating he reported to parole, when he had not. Additionally, Polk agreed to check for any arrest warrants and notify the parolee if he had an active arrest warrant. On June 8, 2010, Polk conducted a search on a National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database to determine if the parolee had an active arrest warrant; Polk transmitted the search by means of a wire communication.

The FBI and the TDCJ—Office of the Inspector General investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Pfeifle was in charge of the prosecution.