Fort Dix Corrections Officer Gave Inmates Drugs For Bribes: USAO

A corrections officer at Federal Correctional Institution Fort Dix (FCI Fort Dix) was arrested for accepting bribes to deliver drugs to inmates, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito and Special Agent in Charge Ronald G. Gardella of the U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General, New York Field Division, announced.

Paul Anton Wright, 32, of Berlin, was arrested by federal agents Thursday morning and charged by complaint with agreeing to accept and accepting bribes. Wright appeared in court on Thursday afternoon and was released on $100,000 unsecured bond.

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 the complaint. 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.

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.

If convicted, Wright faces a maximum potential penalty of 15 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

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