Press Release
Former Correctional Officer Sentenced For Smuggling Cell Phones
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Georgia
Michael J. Moore, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Georgia, announced that Curtis Drakes, aged 33, of Mitchell County, Georgia, was sentenced to serve 2 years in federal prison for conspiracy to provide contraband in prison by the Honorable W. Louis Sands, U.S. District Court Judge. The sentence was pronounced on June 5, 2014 in Albany, Georgia.
Mr. Drakes entered a guilty plea to the charge on February 11, 2 014. As a part of his plea agreement, Mr. Drakes admitted that from about April 15, 2013 to May 16, 2013, while employed as a Correctional Officer at the Mize Street Detention Facility in Pelham, Georgia, he accepted money from inmates in custody at the facility in exchange for cell phones, which are prohibited objects for the inmates.
“When Mr. Drakes smuggled cell phones into a secure detention facility, he not only violated his oath, he put the safety of his fellow guards, law enforcement officers, and potential witnesses in jeopardy. We don’t need people who are locked up using cell phones to conduct illegal business or intimidate witnesses in the community,“ said U.S. Attorney Michael Moore.
The case was investigated by the United States Marshal Service and the Pelham Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Leah E. McEwen is representing the Government in the prosecution of the case.
Questions concerning this case should be directed to Pamela Lightsey, Public Information Officer, United States Attorney’s Office, at (478) 621-2603.
Updated February 19, 2015
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