Essex County Corrections Officer Accepted Bribes to Smuggle Cigarettes and Cell Phones

An Essex County corrections officer admitted that he accepted bribes in exchange for smuggling contraband - including cell phones and tobacco - into the Essex County Jail.

John Grosso, 41, of Belleville, New Jersey, pleaded guilty on Thursday in federal court to conspiring to commit extortion under color of official right.

According to court documents and statements, Grosso, a corrections officer at the Essex County Jail, admitted that in December 2013, he agreed to accept cash bribes in return for his assistance smuggling cell phones and cigarettes to an inmate.

Grosso met with the inmate’s relative in Secaucus to accept the contraband and bribe before delivering the items, documents stated.

The conspiracy charge to which Grosso pleaded guilty carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a fine of $250,000. Grosso also must forfeit the $1,000 bribe he received in December 2013.

Sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 19.