A senior corrections officer of Irvington was formally charged this week for his involvement in a prison drug smuggling operation. The officer’s indictment comes following almost a year-long internal investigation into the circulation of the deadly drug fentanyl in Northern State Prison.
Back in December of last year, prison officials discovered some fentanyl and marijuana in marked bags with a distinctive “panda face” logo in an unidentified inmate’s cell. The facility launched an internal investigation and uncovered evidence that suggested the senior corrections officer had been bringing the drugs into the prison for over four months. The officer was suspended from his post when investigators found that he had smuggled multiple doses to a specific inmate who was then distributing the drug-filled panda bags to other inmates. In exchange, the inmate’s girlfriend on the outside gave the senior corrections officer at least $200 in bribes. Investigators found that prisoners were having their outside friends and family wire money to the girlfriend who would then give the drugs to the officer. In light of this information, the officer has been charged with official misconduct, bribery, conspiracy and drug distribution. These serious charges are further complicated by the dangerous nature of fentanyl.
Attorney James M. Porfido utilizes the in-depth knowledge he gained in his years as a prosecutor to defend clients charged with drug crimes. Over the years, he has developed invaluable investigative skills and defensive strategies that are customized to fit each client’s unique circumstances. Attorney James M. Porfido will aggressively fight to have your charges dismissed or your penalties reduced depending on your situation. With over 29 years of experience operating within the criminal justice system, James M. Porfido is an advocate you can trust. To learn more about our firm’s defensive strategies for drug charges, contact Porfido Law at (973) 370-9788 or via our online contact form.
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