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Press Release

Deer Lodge Prison Guard Sentenced for Accepting Bribes

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Montana

HELENA – Martin Reap, 25, of Deer Lodge, Montana, was sentenced to 20 months’ imprisonment, five years’ supervised release, and a $100 special assessment by United States District Court Judge Sam Haddon on Tuesday, October, 2016 for accepting bribes while working as a correctional officer at the Montana State Prison.  The charge stemmed from a scheme whereby Reap smuggled contraband—including controlled substances and tobacco—to inmates at the prison in exchange for bribes. 

 

The charge against Reap was the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Postal Inspector, the Montana Department of Corrections-Division of Investigations, Montana State Prison Warden Leroy Kirkegard and his staff, and the Montana Division of Criminal Investigations.  Criminal Chief Assistant United States Attorney Joseph Thaggard and Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey Starnes prosecuted the case.

 

“This is an important case aimed at rooting out public corruption and ensuring that correctional officers carry out their obligation to ensure the safety of the community, rather than seeking personal enrichment from those they are entrusted to guard,” said United States attorney for the District of Montana Michael Cotter.  “This investigation represents the best of interagency cooperation.  Multiple federal and state entities worked together seamlessly to find and root out corruption at the Montana State Prison.”

 

This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joe Thaggard and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Postal Inspector, the Montana Department of Corrections, Montana State Prison Warden Leroy Kirkegard and his staff, and the Montana Division of Criminal Investigations.

Updated October 18, 2016

Press Release Number: MELISSA HORNBEIN, Public Information Officer, (406) 457-5277