A former correctional officer, Mathew Stone, 28, from Kingsland, Georgia, pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court before Chief U.S. District Judge Lisa Godbey Wood for accepting a bribe from inmates at Correctional Institution D. Ray James, a privately operated facility which houses federal inmates through a contract with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, in Folkston, Georgia.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Stone accepted money for smuggling contraband items into Correctional Institution D. Ray James. Specifically, Stone plead guilty to one count of bribery for accepting $1,100 to provide prohibited objects, such as cellphones and tobacco, to inmates at the correctional institution.

Stone faces a maximum term of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for his conviction of bribery. There is no parole in the federal system. Stone’s sentencing will be scheduled after the U.S. Probation Office conducts a presentence investigation.

The case was investigated by special agents of the U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Marcela C. Mateo is prosecuting the case on behalf of the United States. Any questions should be directed to First Assistant United States Attorney James D. Durham at (912) 201-2547.