Former Correctional Officer, Michigan Woman Sentenced in Bribery Scheme

ALEXANDRIA, La. – United States Attorney Stephanie A. Finley announced today that a former correctional officer at the U.S. Penitentiary in Pollock, La., along with the daughter of an inmate were sentenced for their roles in a conspiracy to bribe a correctional officer to smuggle cell phones into the prison.  Federal inmates are prohibited from possessing cell phones.

Maggie Kay Comeaux, 28, of Ball, La., was sentenced to 10 months in prison and two years of supervised release on one count of conspiracy. Paris Smith, 21, of Detroit, Mich., was sentenced to two years of probation (including community service hours) and ordered to pay a $500 fine on one count of providing contraband to a prisoner. United States District Judge Donald E. Walter presided over the hearings. According to the November 24, 2014 guilty pleas, from January 2013 to April 2013, Comeaux accepted a $400 bribe from Smith and two federal inmates to smuggle a cell phone and charging cords into the prison. At least one phone was subscribed in Smith’s name. The inmates also used GreenDot cards to provide thousands of dollars to Comeaux.

The U.S. Department of Justice-Office of the Inspector General investigated the case.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Allison D. Bushnell prosecuted the case.