Dental Assistant Charged With Smuggling Contraband Into NY Prison In Exchange For Bribes: Feds

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — A dental assistant is accused of smuggling contraband, including marijuana and tobacco, into a federal prison in Otisville in exchange for thousands of dollars in bribes.

On Wednesday, federal prosecutors announced the arrest of Terri Lynn Outer, 50, of Montague, New Jersey.

Outer is charged with bribery, providing or possessing contraband in prison, and conspiracy to provide or possess contraband in prison.

According to federal prosecutors, Outer is a former contractor for the Federal Bureau of Prisons who had worked at FCI Otisville in Orange County.

Prosecutors claim she solicited and accepted bribes from federal inmates, their family members, and their associates in exchange for smuggling the contraband. Through the scheme, prosecutors say she received more than $163,000.

Outer worked at FCI Otisville, which houses male inmates, as a dental assistant between January 2024 and August 2025, according to the government.

In August 2025, prison staff searched a supply room used by the Health Services Department at the facility. During their search, prison staff found contraband, including 3.2 pounds of marijuana and 6.7 pounds of loose-leaf tobacco, according to the government. Outer had access to that room, prosecutors said.

Outer is due to be presented today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Victoria Reznik.

U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said the Department of Justice “refuses to tolerate such corruption in our prisons.”

“It makes our prisons more dangerous and makes rehabilitation more difficult,” Clayton said.

Ryan T. Geach, special agent in charge of the Northeast Region Office of the U.S. Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General, added, “Outer’s alleged attempt to accept bribes and smuggle contraband jeopardized the safety and security of the institution.”