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COs charged with smuggling drugs, phones into Del. prison

The two correctional officers have been arrested on charges of smuggling drugs and cell phones to inmates in return for bribes

Dover Post

SMYRNA, Del. — Two correctional officers have been charged with smuggling drugs and cell phones into the Vaughn Correctional Center northeast of Smyrna.

Thomas Nadill Boyce Jr., 46, and Paul Hursey, 46, each of Dover, have been arrested on charges of smuggling drugs and cell phones to inmates in return for bribes, according to Charles M. Oberly III, U.S. Attorney for the District of Delaware.

The two defendants made initial appearances today before Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Mary Pat Thynge and were released on bail. Each criminal complaint charges a violation of extortion under color of official right, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine.

These arrests resulted from a joint investigation conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and investigators from the Delaware Department of Correction. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Edmond Falgowski, District of Delaware.

The investigation also resulted in the filing of a criminal complaint on Dec. 3, 2015 against correction officer Lorraine Y. Mosley, who was charged with smuggling a cell phone into the Delores Baylor Women’s Correctional Institution in New Castle to an inmate in return for a bribe.

Department of Correction Commissioner Robert M. Coupe said, “Unfortunately, contraband, to include drugs and cell phones, is successfully smuggled into DOC facilities and such criminal behavior puts the safety of our staff, inmates and visitors to our facilities at risk. Such actions violate the public’s trust, undermine the credibility of our department, and damage the integrity of our profession. We are grateful to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, and the DOC for leading the investigation which resulted in the arrest of these employees.”

(c)2016 Dover Post, Del.

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