Three Former Correctional Staff Sentenced for Contraband Smuggling at Maryland Prison

Three former employees of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) have been sentenced for their roles in separate schemes to smuggle contraband into Jessup Correctional Institution (JCI). The sentencing follows guilty pleas entered by Correctional Officer Sergeant Awungjia Rita Atabong, Correctional Educator Lakesha Murry, and Correctional Officer Kathyrn Hawes. These investigations were a collaborative effort between the Maryland Office of the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Unit and DPSCS.

The actions of these former staff members highlight a betrayal of public trust and endanger the safety of correctional officers and incarcerated individuals alike. Attorney General Anthony G. Brown emphasized that such abuses of authority, driven by personal profit, undermine the security of correctional facilities. The convictions serve as a stark warning that any public servant who compromises their sworn duty will face legal repercussions.

The schemes involved the illicit introduction of drugs, cell phones, and other prohibited items into JCI. Correctional Officer Sergeant Awungjia Rita Atabong, a 13-year veteran, admitted to repeatedly smuggling drugs on behalf of incarcerated individuals. She engaged in direct communication with inmates using contraband cell phones and received thousands of dollars for her involvement. In one instance, Atabong allegedly alerted an inmate to an ongoing contraband interdiction operation by DPSCS personnel. A search of Atabong’s residence uncovered a substantial quantity of contraband, including pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine, MDMA, cannabis, THC-9, psilocin, buprenorphine strips, tobacco, and cell phones. On May 5, 2026, Atabong pleaded guilty to conspiracy to deliver contraband and misconduct in office. She received a sentence of 10 years, with all but 18 months suspended, followed by three years of supervised probation.

Correctional Educator Lakesha Murry utilized her position to smuggle drugs, food, and other contraband into JCI in exchange for financial gain and luxury items, such as a Gucci bag. Murry communicated directly with incarcerated students, taking specific requests for prohibited items and even coordinating the delivery of contraband food. Security footage captured Murry kissing an incarcerated student, and she was found to have passed cigarettes and synthetic cannabis-soaked paper to an inmate in a JCI classroom. Messages recovered from an incarcerated co-conspirator’s cell phone also detailed Murry’s delivery of unauthorized food. On May 15, 2026, Murry pleaded guilty to conspiracy to deliver contraband and misconduct in office. She was sentenced to five years, with all but 90 days suspended, followed by three years of supervised probation.

Correctional Officer Kathyrn Hawes engaged in an inappropriate relationship with an incarcerated individual, Artemis Booker. Hawes communicated with multiple incarcerated co-conspirators via contraband cell phone, including arranging for the delivery of a watch to Booker, which was later found in his cell along with other contraband. Upon her arrest at JCI, Hawes was found to be concealing additional contraband on her person. On February 5, 2026, Hawes pleaded guilty to misconduct in office and received a sentence of three years, with all but time served suspended, followed by three years of supervised probation.

Between February and April 2026, five inmate co-defendants pleaded guilty to charges including possession of contraband cell phones and conspiracy to deliver contraband. Two additional inmate co-defendants, Tavon Williams and Kevin Glover, have trial dates scheduled for May 21 and May 28, 2026, respectively. These sentences and ongoing legal actions underscore the Maryland Attorney General’s commitment to prosecuting individuals who corrupt the integrity of the correctional system.

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

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