A joint investigation between the Georgia Department of Corrections and the Federal Bureau of Investigation resulted in 54 suspects being indicted Thursday in a large corruption, fraud and money laundering case at a Georgia state prison.
According to a news release from the GDC, those indicted include four current GDC officers, 11 former GDC officers, 18 inmates and 21 civilians including two parolees.
Those indicted include four Central Georgia civilians:
- Ashley Butler, 28, of Macon, charged with conspiring to commit money laundering
- Laporshia Knight, 40, of Macon, charged with conspiring to commit money laundering
- Amber Mayes, 29, of Dublin, charged with conspiring to commit money laundering
- Douglas Welch, 34, of Cordele, charged with conspiring to commit money laundering, conspiring to bribe correctional officers to smuggle contraband into the prison
According to the release, it was discovered during the investigation that contraband cell phones were allegedly being used by inmates inside Autry to access websites in order to identify names, addresses and phone numbers of potential victims.
Inmates used the phones to call victims and falsely represent themselves to be law enforcement officials, falsely accuse victims of failure to appear for jury duty, falsely inform victims warrants had been issued for their arrests due to failure to appear in court, and falsely advise victims that they had a choice of being arrested or paying a fine to have the warrant dismissed.
Victims who chose to pay fines purchased prepaid cards and provided account numbers to Autry inmates.
"Eliminating illegal cell phones, from our facilities, is a top priority for our agency," Commission Homer Bryson said in a statement. "Working closely with our partners at the FBI is just one of the many tools we are using to combat this serious issue."
Others arrested include current GDC officers:
- Jokelra Copeland
- Renaldo Freeman
- Chameta Isom
- Shaneka Williams
Former GDC officers:
- Shalonda Baker
- Jonathan Daniels
- Tyler Dickens
- J.D. Gilbert
- Brian Kennedy
- Calvin Martin
- Tadia Mercer
- Kiatya Milton
- Shebrikia Stewart
- Christina Wilson
- Ermesha Wingfield
Current inmates:
- Austin Bradley
- Kahary Campbell
- Ricky Knight
- Jessee Lopez
- Sharron McCoy
- Michael Oliver
- Steven Patterson
- David Pinder
- Anthony Powell
- Anthony Sanders
- Terrance Shields
- Clifford Smalls
- Shameik Spinks
- Joseph Tate, Jr.
- Edward Townsend
- Derrick Lorenzo Watson
- Benjamin Williams, Jr.
- Rokei Winston
Parolees:
- Casear Futch, Jr.
- Reginald Perkins
Other civilians:
- Leanna Bearden
- Iesha Bell
- Toccara Cantrell
- Cellie Clark
- Willa Davis
- Keri Hatcher
- Bettie Jones
- Melissa Lloyd
- Tangela Parks
- Aida Rosa
- Veronica Watters
- Quintavious Williams
The investigation of Autry State Prison in Pelham, Ga., was ongoing for about two years. Around 1,700 men are housed in the facility.