Crime & Safety
Former Fort Dix Corrections Officer Admits Taking Bribes: FBI
Paul Anton Wright, of Berlin, admitted he took cash to deliver contraband to inmates at Fort Dix.
A former corrections officer at Federal Correctional Institution Fort Dix (FCI Fort Dix) admitted he took cash to deliver contraband to inmates at the facility, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced on Thursday.
Paul Anton Wright, 34, of Berlin, pleaded guilty to one count of an indictment charging him with accepting thousands of dollars in cash bribes in exchange for delivering contraband to federal inmates at Fort Dix, according to authorities.
Wright is accused of smuggling contraband, including K2 synthetic marijuana and suboxone, a Schedule III narcotic used to treat opioid addiction, to inmates inside FCI Fort Dix in 2015, according to documents filed in the case and statements made in court.
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He received both the bribes and the drugs from two people outside the prison, according to authorities.
A relative of one of the inmates withdrew $2,500 from their bank account on Feb. 19, 2015, authorities said. The following day, the same amount of money ended up in Wright's account. Meanwhile, the inmate is said to have received contraband, including K2. There were also three phone calls between Wright and the relative during this two-day period, authorities said.
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On other occasions, the cash payments were deposited into Wright's bank accounts or used by Wright for cash $2,500 buy-ins at the Borgata casino in Atlantic City, according to authorities.
In addition, authorities said Wright received thousands of dollars in cash payments from the relative of an inmate's girlfriend. Wright met with this relative in Bronx, New York, on multiple occasions. On each occasion, Wright accepted contraband and cash. He subsequently delivered the contraband to an inmate at FCI Fort Dix.
Wright faces a maximum potential penalty of 15 years in prison and a maximum potential fine of $250,000. He also agreed to a forfeiture money judgment against him in the amount of $50,000. Sentencing is scheduled for Feb. 27, 2020.
See related: Fort Dix Corrections Officer Gave Inmates Drugs For Bribes: USAO
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