FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                               CONTACT:  DAVILYN WALSTON
MONDAY, JULY 28, 2008                                                    PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER
WWW.USDOJ.GOV/USAO/TXE                         PHONE: (409) 839-2538 CELL: (409) 553-9881
                                                                                                    

PRISON GUARD SENTENCED FOR SMUGGLING CONTRABAND

BEAUMONT, TX – United States Attorney Rebecca A. Gregory announced today that a former Corrections Officer with the Federal Bureau of Prisons in Beaumont has been sentenced to 24 months in federal prison for attempting to smuggle contraband to federal inmates in the Eastern District of Texas. 

         JOHN LEROY CHAMBERS, III, 27, of Beaumont, pleaded guilty on January 31, 2008 to conspiracy to commit and receive a bribe as a public official.  He was sentenced today by United States District Judge Ron Clark. 

            "It is disturbing when these types of incidents occur," said U.S. Attorney Gregory.  "We have, and will continue to hold accountable, any law enforcement officer who attempts to smuggle items to prisoners, violating the very laws they have sworn to uphold.  Smuggling contraband into a prison undermines the very security that is required to make the prison a safe facility for the inmates, as well as the staff of the complex."

            According to information presented in court, Chambers accepted money from inmates in exchange for marijuana and other contraband, such as MP3 players, Rogaine, tobacco, and cash.  Chambers was indicted by a federal grand jury on December 19, 2007. 

            This case was investigated by the Department of Justice - Bureau of Prisons, Office of Inspector General, Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, and the Orange Police Department and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brit Featherston.
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