Buford prison worker pleads guilty to smuggling drugs inside lock-up for inmates

A kitchen worker at Phillips State Prison in Buford has entered guilty please to smuggling drugs into the facility for inmates.

 

Charonda Edwards, 29, of College Park admitted Wednesday to federal authorities that she smuggled methamphetamine and marijuana into the prison kitchen for inmates to retrieve and sell to other inmates.

 

In a press statement, U.S. Attorney John Horn said Edwards, who went by the alias "John," began her criminal activity in 2014.  He said the inmates placed orders and communicated with Edwards using contraband cell phones that had also been smuggled into the prison and then paid bribes to her using prepaid debit cards.  At the same time, Edwards would provide correctional information to the inmates, such as when the prison would be on lock down or would be searched by guards. 

 

Edwards is the first defendant to plead guilty in a series of prison corruption cases that led to charges for more than 80 other defendants.

 

Edwards pleaded guilty to drug conspiracy, a charge that carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $1,000,000. She also pleaded guilty to bribery, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.  

 

A sentencing date for Edwards has not been set. 

 

The FBI is handling the investigation.