Source: United States Department of Justice News
Baltimore, Maryland – A federal jury yesterday convicted former Correctional Officer Andre Davis, a/k/a “2 Chainz,” age 37, of Baltimore, for a racketeering conspiracy at the Chesapeake Detention Facility (CDF), in Baltimore, Maryland, after a seven-day trial. Two other correctional officers (COs), four detainees, and two outside “facilitators” previously pleaded guilty to their roles in the conspiracy, which involved paying bribes to correctional officers to smuggle contraband, including narcotics, tobacco, and cell phones, into the prison.
The guilty verdict was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Erek L. Barron; Special Agent in Charge Thomas J. Sobocinski of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; and Secretary Carolyn J. Scruggs of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.
According to court documents and the evidence presented at trial, CDF is run by the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) pursuant to a contract with the United States Marshals Service (USMS) and is primarily used for the housing of federal pretrial detainees. CDF is a maximum-security prison that houses approximately 500 male and female detainees. There are six housing areas, or “pods” in CDF.
The evidence showed that from at least 2016, Davis, along with other employees, detainees and associates of CDF, participated in a conspiracy to smuggle contraband into CDF, including narcotics, cell phones, and tobacco. According to the evidence at trial, Davis abused his position of trust as sworn officer of DPSCS by engaging in illegal activities to enrich himself.
According to the trial testimony, Davis smuggled contraband into CDF for multiple detainees, including co-defendants Donte Thomas, Andre Webb, and Bernard Bey. At the direction of the detainees, Davis met with outside facilitators to receive contraband and bribe payments. The evidence showed that Davis smuggled Suboxone, tobacco, and cellular telephones and communication devices into CDF, in exchange for bribes.
As detailed during the trial, the defendant detainees and facilitators paid Davis and his co-defendant COs for smuggled contraband using cash and electronic payment platforms, including Cash App.
Davis faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison for the racketeering conspiracy. U.S. District Judge George L. Russell, III, has scheduled sentencing for April 3, 2023, at 9:30 a.m.
United States Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the FBI and DPSCS for their work in the investigation. Mr. Barron thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Peter J. Martinez and Robert I. Goldaris, who are prosecuting the case.
For more information on the Maryland U.S. Attorney’s Office, its priorities, and resources available to help the community, please visit www.justice.gov/usao-md and https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/community-outreach.
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