Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino announced that a senior correction officer at the Garden State Youth Correctional Facility in Yardville was indicted today on charges that he smuggled marijuana and tobacco to inmates inside the correctional facility in return for money.
Jaquae Hollingshead, 24, of Southampton, was indicted today by a state grand jury on charges of conspiracy, official misconduct, and bribery in official matters, all second-degree charges, as well as third-degree charges of distribution of marijuana and money laundering.
Hollingshead has been suspended from his position as a senior correction officer as a result of the allegations.
It is alleged that, on multiple occasions, Hollingshead allegedly smuggled marijuana and tobacco to inmates in the correctional facility. In return, he allegedly received bribes in the form of monetary payments made by friends or relatives of the inmates outside the prison. Inmates allegedly communicated with Hollingshead using a cell phone to arrange for the contraband to be smuggled.
Second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000, while third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.
The second-degree charges carry a mandatory minimum period of parole ineligibility of five years.
The third-degree money laundering charge carries an enhanced fine of up to $25,000.