Garden State Youth corrections officer allegedly smuggled pot to inmates

A senior corrections office at a state prison that houses younger adult offenders was indicted Tuesday for being paid to smuggle marijuana and tobacco into the facility. Jaquae Hollingshead, 24, of Southampton, Burlington County, was indicted on second-degree charges of conspiracy, official misconduct and bribery in official matters, along with third-degree charges of distribution of marijuana and money laundering. Hollingshead has been suspended as a result of the allegations. He allegedly smuggled marijuana and tobacco to inmates in the correctional facility in return for money from the inmates' friends or relatives outside the prison. Inmates allegedly communicated with Hollingshead using a cell phone to arrange the smuggling. “By smuggling contraband to inmates, corrupt correction officers compound the challenges faced by their fellow officers in maintaining security in our state correctional facilities,” Attorney General Christopher Porrino said. “We allege that Hollingshead betrayed his badge and compromised safety by smuggling contraband, including drugs, into a youth correctional facility.” Division of Criminal Justice Director Elie Honig commended the Department of Corrections investigators who uncovered the alleged scheme. “We intend to aggressively prosecute this defendant to send a clear message that we won’t stand for crooked correction officers who undermine security in our prisons,” he said. “Thanks to everyone who collaborated on this investigation,” said New Jersey Department of Corrections Commissioner Gary Lanigan. “The overwhelming majority of New Jersey Department of Corrections staff is hard-working and honest. However, a corrupt employee can undermine the integrity of the entire criminal justice system. Every member of our staff knows that if he or she acts in an unlawful manner, then he or she should not be working for the NJDOC and is subject to the legal ramifications of that behavior.” Second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of as much as $150,000, while third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in prison and a fine of as much as $15,000. The second-degree charges carry a mandatory minimum period of parole ineligibility of five years. The third-degree money-laundering charge carries an enhanced fine of as much as $25,000. Anyone who wants to confidentially report public corruption, financial crime and other illegal activities can call the toll-free tipline at 1-866-TIPS-4CJ. The public also can log on to the Division’s web page at www.njdcj.org to report suspected wrongdoing.