Guards Smuggled Phones, Opioid Meds Into Prison: Philly DA

PHILADELPHIA — Two guards at a Philadelphia prison have been charged after authorities said they profited off of separate contraband smuggling schemes.

On Tuesday, authorities said Roderick Price, 41, and Christina Ingram, 23, both corrections officers at Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility, are charged with corrupt organization, two counts of criminal conspiracy, two counts of dealing in illegal proceeds, one count of contraband, two counts of contraband, one count of possession with intent to deliver, and additional related charges. Price was taken into custody at his home, and Ingram was arrested at Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility.

Their arrests and charges come after a multi-agency investigation connected to a separate Gun Violence Task Force investigation that began earlier this year.

Price and Ingram are accused of working with civilians to smuggle cell phones and Suboxone, a medicine used to treat people suffering from opioid use disorder, into the facility.

Investigators allege that the defendants did not work together.

Price has been a corrections officer since 2006, while Ingram has been employed with the Philadelphia Department of Prisons since 2023.

"Thanks to the Gun Violence Task Force, in partnership with the Philadelphia Department of Prisons, the Philadelphia Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Explosives, and Firearms, and the Pennsylvania State Police, these two corrections officers will be held accountable for violating their oaths and for helping fuel a market for narcotics and other contraband within CFCF," Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said. "My office always strives to pursue equal justice, regardless of whether or not the defendant wears a badge. We will appropriately prosecute these defendants."

"I want to thank our partners, including the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office, Philadelphia Police Department, and other law enforcement partners, for their assistance in this case," Philadelphia Department of Prisons Commissioner Michael Resnick said. "Introducing contraband undermines the security and integrity of our facilities, and threatens the safety of all of our staff and the inmate population. We're committed to ensuring the safety of our staff and inmates."