Bride Caught Smuggling Drugs Into Jail for Incarcerated Husband

Attorney General Frosh Announces Guilty Pleas of Husband and Wife for Prison Drug-Smuggling Conspiracy. Defendants Attempted to Smuggle Heroin, Suboxone, Synthetic Marijuana, and Tobacco into Prison Facility

BALTIMORE, MD (March 20, 2019) – Maryland Attorney General Brian E. Frosh today
announced the guilty pleas of a husband and wife for a drug-smuggling conspiracy aimed at
bringing controlled substances into Maryland correctional facilities. The investigation was led by
the Maryland Office of the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Unit and the Maryland
Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS).

The investigation began with a tip to intelligence officers at Dorsey Run Correctional Facility, a
state prison facility located in Jessup, that a woman would be bringing drugs into the prison. The
woman was later identified as Ester Noemi Cortez, 27, of Elkridge. On May 5, 2018, Cortez
arrived for a morning visit at Dorsey Run with inmate Clarence Hubert Allen, 33, formerly of
Hurlock. The two had married in prison the day before. Intelligence officers conducted a K9
scan of Cortez, which alerted to the presence of drugs on her person. Cortez later produced three
bundles from a body cavity. Inside the bundles, officers found heroin, Suboxone, synthetic
marijuana (also known as K2), tobacco, and rolling papers. Further investigation revealed that
the pair were engaged in an ongoing conspiracy.

Allen pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute Buprenorphine, the controlled ingredient in
Suboxone, and conspiracy to deliver contraband into correctional facilities. The Honorable
Pamela K. Alban of the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County sentenced Allen to two years
incarceration, consecutive to the sentence he was already serving. Ester Cortez pleaded guilty to
felony possession with intent to distribute Buprenorphine and conspiracy to deliver contraband
into correctional facilities. The Honorable William C. Mulford, II, of the Circuit Court for Anne
Arundel County has set sentencing for May 13, 2019.

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“This husband and wife team attempted to distribute illegal drugs in our correctional facilities,” said Attorney General Frosh. “As a result of our investigation, the drugs were seized and Ms.Cortez and Mr. Allen will serve time behind bars.”

“We commend our law enforcement partners for continuing to keep their foot on the accelerator in exposing prison corruption,” said DPSCS Deputy Secretary of Operations J. Michael Zeigler.

“We will continue to work together to ensure that those participating in the practice will be
prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

In making today’s announcement, Attorney General Frosh thanked Organized Crime Chief Katie
Dorian, DPSCS Detective Sergeant Alan Savage, and Assistant Attorneys General Jared Albert
and Jennifer Doud, who are prosecuting the case. Attorney General Frosh also thanked the
Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services and the Anne Arundel County State’s
Attorney’s Office for their assistance in this prosecution.

Article reprint from press release of the Maryland Office of The Attorney General Brian E. Frosh

By Aujunai Charpentiair