STATE JAIL WARDEN ARRESTED

BEAUMONT - Staff, Wire Reports - The warden of the 2,100- inmate Gist
State Jail in Beaumont was arrested Friday on allegations that he
accepted a bribe from a prison employee seeking a promotion.

Jeffrey Jeffcoat, 42, was taken into custody as he left the minimum-
to medium-security prison after he submitted his resignation to the
Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

Jeffcoat joined TDCJ in January 1983 and had been warden at the
Beaumont facility since March 1997.

Also arrested was Brian Wilson, 25, who allegedly paid Jeffcoat $2,000
in return for a promotion from unit supply clerk to unit supply officer.

In a sworn affidavit, TDCJ internal affairs officer Deborah Leonard
alleged that Jeffcoat advised subordinates to supply Wilson with
questions to a test required for the position.

On Oct. 5, 1998, Wilson wrote the check to Jeffcoat, noting it was for
the purchase of a car, she said. On Oct. 20, 1998, Jeffcoat
administered the test, then selected Wilson from a field of 20 candidates.

TDCJ spokesman Larry Todd said a new warden for the Gist jail will be
appointed Monday.

He was unable to say how much the promotion raised Wilson's
salary.