Former Bureau of Prisons Employee Sentenced to Five Years in Prison for Soliciting a Bribe

     TUCSON, Ariz. - On October 24, 2019, Jessica Diane Ferrell, 34, of Tucson, Arizona, was sentenced by United States District Judge James A. Soto to 60 months in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release. Ferrell had previously pleaded guilty to Solicitation of a Bribe and Falsification of Records.

     In March 2016, Ferrell, then an employee at the FCC Tucson Bureau of Prisons Facility, sought an inmate’s assistance to arrange the murder of her former romantic partner. In exchange for the inmate’s assistance, Ferrell agreed to provide contraband to the inmate in violation of her duty as a prison employee. To facilitate the murder, Ferrell provided a photograph, a map to the former romantic partner’s home, and other identifying information to the inmate.

     On March 30, 2016, Ferrell received a list of contraband desired by the inmate. Approximately six hours later, Ferrell changed her mind and reported to her supervisor at the facility that she had received the inmate’s contraband request, but did not reveal her prior agreement with the inmate to her supervisor. Nor did Ferrell take any action to protect or notify her former partner.

     “Ferrell solicited an inmate to help her carry out a deadly hit on her ex-romantic partner, in exchange for bribes of contraband.  As a result of the OIG’s investigative work, her plan was thwarted.  Because of this successful prosecution she will rightfully serve 5 years in prison, where she will not be able to further victimize her ex-romantic partner or endanger the public,” said Sandra D. Barnes, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General Denver Field Office.

     The Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General conducted the investigation. The prosecution was handled by the Public Integrity Section of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona.