Federal Correctional Officer Enters Guilty Plea To Bribery And Introduction Of Contraband Into Prison

Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces that Micheal Jason Brooks (37, Citra) has pleaded guilty plea to one count of receipt of a bribe by a public official and one count of providing contraband to a federal prisoner. Brooks faces up to 15 years in federal prison for the bribery offense and up to 6 months’ imprisonment for the contraband offense. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to court records, on June 12, 2024, Brooks was employed by the United States Department of Justice, United States Bureau of Prisons, as a correctional officer at the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex in Sumter County. He knowingly and corruptly sought, and agreed to receive and accept, a bribe of $3,000 in return for smuggling 177.1 grams of loose tobacco into the federal prison for an inmate. Federal inmates are prohibited from obtaining and possessing tobacco in prison as it is contraband. Brooks provided the tobacco to the inmate on June 12, 2024. 

This case was investigated by the United States Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk Watson.