Ex-federal prison guard pleads guilty to pocketing bribes from inmates

A former guard at the Federal Correctional Institution in Miami pleaded guilty Friday to accepting thousands of dollars in bribes from inmates in exchange for sneaking in cellular phones, cigarettes and other contraband for them, authorities said.

Victor Manuel DeJesus Jr., 47, of Miami-Dade County, admitted that he conspired with two FCI inmates to commit bribery and related offenses between December 2018 and September 2019. The inmates, Gregory Bart Nation and Jose Enrique Mejias, are both serving time for drug convictions.

DeJesus faces several years in prison at his April 1 sentencing before U.S. District Judge Robert Scola.

Nation and Mejias “encouraged inmates” to “place orders” for “prohibited items,” such as cellular telephones, SIM cards, accessories and cigarettes, according to an indictment. “Orders were sent to Nation, who communicated directly with DeJesus to coordinate the delivery of payment and contraband to DeJesus.”

Court records show there were at least six different transactions totaling just under $10,000. The money was deposited in DeJesus’ personal account, federal prosecutors said.

“In exchange for these bribe payments, the indictment alleges DeJesus used his official position to bring prohibited items into the prison,” according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

This story was originally published January 17, 2020 at 4:30 PM.