Maryland Attorney General Announces Charges in Three Major Contraband Smuggling Operations at Jessup Correctional Institution

Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown has announced that 10 individuals are facing charges in connection with three separate contraband smuggling schemes that were allegedly operating within the Jessup Correctional Institution (JCI) in Anne Arundel County. The investigation, a collaborative effort led by the Maryland Office of the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Unit and the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS), aims to address the infiltration of illegal items and substances into the state’s correctional facilities.

The charges stem from investigations into correctional officers and other staff members who allegedly abused their positions to facilitate the movement of contraband for incarcerated individuals. These operations involved the smuggling of drugs, including fentanyl and methamphetamine, along with cell phones, tobacco, and other prohibited items. In one instance, a correctional officer sergeant is accused of warning an incarcerated individual about an impending contraband interdiction operation.

The first conspiracy involved Correctional Officer Sergeant Awungjia Rita Atabong, a 13-year veteran of the correctional system. Atabong is alleged to have repeatedly smuggled illicit substances into JCI on behalf of several inmates. Her alleged methods included meeting with individuals outside the facility to obtain contraband packages and communicating with inmates via contraband cell phones. Over time, she reportedly received thousands of dollars for her alleged involvement. A search of Atabong’s residence uncovered a significant quantity of contraband intended for smuggling into the facility, including pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine, other stimulant drugs, MDMA, cannabis, THC-9, psilocin, buprenorphine strips, tobacco, and cell phones. Atabong faces a 40-count indictment that includes charges of misconduct in office, contraband conspiracy, and possession of controlled dangerous substances and contraband with the intent to distribute. Also charged in this conspiracy are JCI inmates Michael Cates, Tavon Williams, Tyrell Smith, and James Gilyard IV, facing charges related to contraband conspiracy and illegal possession of telecommunications devices.

A second scheme targeted a Correctional Educator, Lakesha Murry. She is accused of exploiting her role to smuggle drugs, food, and other contraband to incarcerated students in exchange for money and luxury items, including a designer handbag. Murry allegedly communicated directly with some of these students using a contraband cell phone to take specific requests for prohibited items and also coordinated the delivery of contraband food. Security footage reportedly captured Murry engaging in an inappropriate physical interaction with an incarcerated student. In one documented instance, Murry is accused of passing cigarettes and synthetic cannabis-soaked paper to an incarcerated individual in a JCI classroom. Murry is facing a 15-count indictment including charges of misconduct in office, contraband conspiracy, possession of controlled dangerous substances with the intent to distribute, and the delivery of contraband. Inmate Allen Mitchell and inmate Kevin Glover are also charged in this conspiracy, with allegations including contraband conspiracy and illegal possession of contraband and telecommunication devices.

The third conspiracy involved Correctional Officer Kathyrn Hawes, who is alleged to have engaged in an inappropriate relationship with incarcerated individual Artemis Booker. Hawes purportedly communicated with Booker and other incarcerated co-conspirators using contraband cell phones to arrange the delivery of prohibited items, including a watch. Investigators reportedly recovered the watch, along with other contraband such as a flash drive and tobacco, from Booker’s cell. Upon her arrest at JCI in connection with this indictment, Hawes was allegedly found to be concealing additional contraband. Hawes faces a 3-count indictment for misconduct in office, contraband conspiracy, and conspiracy to possess contraband with the intent to deliver. Booker is also charged with contraband conspiracy and illegal possession of contraband and telecommunication devices.

In September 2025, Attorney General Brown also announced charges against several incarcerated individuals for possession of contraband phones that were discovered during the broader investigation into these smuggling operations.

The cases have all been filed in the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County. Murry, Atabong, and Hawes have been released on their own recognizance, while the charged incarcerated individuals remain in custody, serving existing sentences. The Attorney General’s office has commended the efforts of the Criminal Division, the Organized Crime Unit, and the Investigations and Prosecutions Support Unit, as well as the partnership with the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services and the State’s Attorney for Anne Arundel County.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Maryland Attorney General.

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