Tampa, Florida – Justin Harvey (50, Inverness) has pleaded guilty to acceptance of a bribe by a public official. He faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
According to the plea agreement, Harvey worked as a correctional officer at Citrus County Detention Facility (CCDF), a jail facility where federal inmates are held while they await trial, sentencing, or designation to a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility. While Harvey worked at CCDF, he agreed to bring a cellphone into the facility to an inmate. In exchange, the inmate would pay Harvey $4,000 in cash. Harvey then met up with a colleague of the inmate – who was, in fact, an undercover law enforcement agent – and collected $4,000 and a cellphone to bring into the facility. Harvey then wrapped the cellphone in saran wrap to smuggle it into the facility. Harvey brought the cellphone into CCDF and gave it to the inmate. The inmate later returned the cellphone to law enforcement. Further analysis identified Harvey’s fingerprints on the tape that sealed the phone.
The introduction of contraband, like cellphones, into secure detention facilities presents a security risk to those both inside and outside the facility.
Harvey agreed to forfeit $4,000 to the United States, the money he received as a bribe.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael J. Buchanan. Assistant United States Attorney James A. Muench handled the forfeiture.
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