MOONLIGHTING TEXAS CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS

Supplementing one’s income with an extra job is the American way of keeping up with one’s neighbors

You gotta have that extra cash to buy a snazzy car, a classy boat, an ATV, a travel trailer, an 84” LED flat-screen TV, etc. And then there are those season tickets to sporting events, trips to casinos, and those exotic vacations on a cruise ship or to a tropical island.

FOURTEEN PRISON GUARDS PLEAD GUILTY TO RUNNING INMATE-DRUG EMPIRE
By Richard Connelly

Houston Press Hair Balls
November 1, 2013

We guess the definition of "captive audience" is pretty much epitomized by prison inmates.

In Beeville, guards at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice's McConnell Unit took advantage of the potential customer base and ran one hell of a drug ring, with the aid of inmates. They also smuggled in phones, because they were all about serving the customer.

How big was this thing? Fourteen guards are going to be doing time for their part in the enterprise, as will 11 other individuals.

The Houston U.S. Attorney's office announced the convictions, which will result in prison time for some of the guards -- and if there's nothing like being a former prison guard in prison, we assume -- and probation/home confinement for others.

"The arrests came as a result of a joint effort between TDCJ-Office of Inspector General and federal authorities to attempt to break the 'culture of corruption' that permeated the McConnell Unit Prison during a period between 2005 to the present," the U.S Attorney's office said. "State and federal authorities worked together in a determined effort to disrupt and dismantle the violent criminal gangs who were profiting through the corruption of guards at the prison."

The Aryan Circle and Mexican cartels were involved in the operation, which also included organizing drug deals outside the prison walls.

Two individuals are still on the loose, officials said.

"During the course of the investigation, agents and officers seized approximately 13 pounds of crystal methamphetamine with an estimated street value of more than $300,000," the USAO said. "Additionally, seven assault rifles, 14 pistols, five shotguns, five bullet proof vests and approximately 1,000 rounds of ammunition were seized from the gang."