FCI Danbury Employee Who Smuggled Phones Into Prison is Sentenced

DANBURY, CT — A man who smuggled phones into the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury where he was employed was sentenced in Bridgeport Superior Court on Thursday.

U.S. District Judge Victor A. Bolden sentenced Eric Williams, 38, of Danbury, to two years of probation, and ordered him to perform 100 hours of community service while on probation.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Williams worked in the Food Service Department at FCI Danbury. On July 9, 2017, Williams attempted to smuggle four mobile phones and an electric beard trimmer into the prison by hiding the items in his hat as he entered the facility through the staff entrance. When a corrections officer arrived at the staff entrance to screen Williams for admission into the facility, Williams abandoned the attempt and left his hat containing the contraband in the entrance area. When a supervisory officer found the hat and asked Williams if it belonged to him, Williams denied that it was his hat.

Williams was arrested on July 20, 2018. On July 1, 2019, he pleaded guilty to one count of providing contraband in prison.