Former Corrections Officer Pleads Guilty to Attempting to Smuggle Marijuana

Memphis, TN – A former corrections officer for a federal correctional institution in Arkansas has pled guilty to attempting to smuggle contraband into the facility. Edward L. Stanton III, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, announced the plea today.

In September 2015, John Brooks, 28, of Jonesboro, Arkansas, was employed as a corrections officer at Federal Correctional Complex (FCC) Forrest City, Arkansas when he accepted money in exchange for agreeing to smuggle marijuana into the facility and to inmates.

On Thursday, February 4, 2016, Brooks pled guilty to one count of accepting money in exchange for agreeing to smuggle marijuana into the institution, in violation of his official duties.

Brooks is scheduled to be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Sheryl H. Lipman on Thursday, May 5, 2016. He faces up to 15 years imprisonment when sentenced. Brooks also faces a fine of up to $250,000.

This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

Assistant U.S. Attorney David Pritchard is prosecuting this case on the government’s behalf.