News (Media Awareness Project) - US PA: Graterford Guards Busted For Smuggling Drugs Into Prison |
| Title: | US PA: Graterford Guards Busted For Smuggling Drugs Into Prison |
| Published On: | 2007-09-24 |
| Source: | Bulletin, The (Philadelphia, PA) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-01-11 22:08:05 |
GRATERFORD GUARDS BUSTED FOR SMUGGLING DRUGS INTO PRISON
Philadelphia - Four Graterford State Prison guards and an alleged
drug dealer were indicted Friday on federal charges of smuggling
drugs and cell phones to inmates.
The federal government took control of the investigation and
prosecution using provisions of the Interstate Commerce Act.
In separate indictments, Graterford guards Tony Strong, 46, Allen
Littles, 37, Sheri Allen, 38, and Ronald Smith, 51, all of
Philadelphia, are charged with smuggling pot, cocaine, marijuana and
cell phones to inmates. Each of the guards is also charged with extortion.
Howard "Smitty" Grant, 37, is the alleged drug dealer indicted
Friday.
He is charged with not only supplying drugs that were smuggled into
the prison but also with paying off the guards with drugs. He is also
alleged to have given more than five pounds of marijuana to an
accomplice whom he believed was helping a convicted murderer
(identified in the indictment only as "C.W.") in an escape plan. The
escape was foiled.
Friday's arrests continue an ongoing investigation into the workings
of the prison.
Daphne Nedab, a former Graterford guard, was charged earlier this
year with insurance fraud. Guard Charles Bob was charged with drug
distribution at another prison in 2002.
The FBI, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, and the
Pennsylvania State Police are conducting the investigation.
U.S. Attorney Pat Meehan commented, "The indictments today allege
that for a few dollars these guards violated the rules and the trust
placed in them by both prison officials and the taxpayers of
Pennsylvania."
Meehan told reporters that the guards were sometimes paid with
marijuana they allegedly then resold.
"They weren't collecting big money, but it was easy money," he
declared. "They broke the law while being paid to ensure inmates
followed the rules. The investigators often found it difficult to
differentiate between the good guys and the bad guys. Officers
wearing this proud uniform should be enforcing the rules and laws not
breaking them."
Philadelphia - Four Graterford State Prison guards and an alleged
drug dealer were indicted Friday on federal charges of smuggling
drugs and cell phones to inmates.
The federal government took control of the investigation and
prosecution using provisions of the Interstate Commerce Act.
In separate indictments, Graterford guards Tony Strong, 46, Allen
Littles, 37, Sheri Allen, 38, and Ronald Smith, 51, all of
Philadelphia, are charged with smuggling pot, cocaine, marijuana and
cell phones to inmates. Each of the guards is also charged with extortion.
Howard "Smitty" Grant, 37, is the alleged drug dealer indicted
Friday.
He is charged with not only supplying drugs that were smuggled into
the prison but also with paying off the guards with drugs. He is also
alleged to have given more than five pounds of marijuana to an
accomplice whom he believed was helping a convicted murderer
(identified in the indictment only as "C.W.") in an escape plan. The
escape was foiled.
Friday's arrests continue an ongoing investigation into the workings
of the prison.
Daphne Nedab, a former Graterford guard, was charged earlier this
year with insurance fraud. Guard Charles Bob was charged with drug
distribution at another prison in 2002.
The FBI, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, and the
Pennsylvania State Police are conducting the investigation.
U.S. Attorney Pat Meehan commented, "The indictments today allege
that for a few dollars these guards violated the rules and the trust
placed in them by both prison officials and the taxpayers of
Pennsylvania."
Meehan told reporters that the guards were sometimes paid with
marijuana they allegedly then resold.
"They weren't collecting big money, but it was easy money," he
declared. "They broke the law while being paid to ensure inmates
followed the rules. The investigators often found it difficult to
differentiate between the good guys and the bad guys. Officers
wearing this proud uniform should be enforcing the rules and laws not
breaking them."
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