POLICE Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

13 Baltimore COs Indicted In Prison Gang Drug Conspiracy

A federal grand jury has indicted 13 Baltimore correctional officers and 12 Black Guerilla Family (BGF) gang members who orchestrated a wide-ranging conspiracy to distribute drugs, launder money, and have sex inside the jail.

April 23, 2013
13 Baltimore COs Indicted In Prison Gang Drug Conspiracy

Screenshot via Baltimore Sun.

A federal grand jury has indicted 13 Baltimore correctional officers and 12 Black Guerilla Family (BGF) gang members who orchestrated a wide-ranging conspiracy to distribute drugs, launder money, and have sex inside the jail.

The indictments stem from a two-year Maryland Prison Task Force investigation to reform prison procedures, the FBI announced Tuesday.

Ad Loading...

"Correctional officers were in bed with BGF inmates, in violation of the first principle of prison management," said U.S. Attorney Rod Rosenstein. "Preventing prison corruption requires intensive screening at prison entrances and punishment for employees who consort with inmates or bring cell phones and drugs into correctional facilities."

BGF members and associates allegedly bribed correctional officers at the Baltimore City Detention Center (BCDC) and other prison facilities to smuggle drugs, cell phones and other contraband. Officers arranged favored treatment and privileges for imprisoned gang members, and thwarted interdiction and law enforcement efforts against inmates. BGF members and associates allegedly had long-term sexual relationships with several correctional officers and impregnated them.

BGF leaders allegedly used contraband cell phones to order contraband. Co-conspirators delivered contraband to corrupt correctional officers who smuggled the items into the prisons. Correctional officers often arranged for payment. Some gang dues and drug profits were used to support the activities of BGF street organizations outside the jails.

The charging documents allege that correctional officers brought contraband directly into the prisons through the main entrances. Inside the prisons, the gang controlled smuggling by designating gang members as "working men"—inmates who are paid to assist management and freely move around the jail.

The inmates used Green Dot cash debit cards to pay BGF for smuggled contraband. BGF members bought luxury automobiles with the pre-paid credit cards.

Ad Loading...

Ranking BGF inmate Tavon White, 36, allegedly directed the criminal operation, according to the FBI. White laid out his role in a Dec. 11 conversation with Officer Adrena Rice, 25.

He said, "I told them worker men that they had to step down off the worker men spots or they was getting hit ... I hold the highest seat you can get ... My word is law ... So if I told any mother-f**king body they had to do this, hit a police, do this, kill a mother-f**ker, do anything, it got to get done. Period."

White and other gang members developed sexual relationships with officers in order to gain influence over them.

White allegedly had long-term sexual relationships inside BCDC with four correctional officers—Jennifer Owens, 31; Katera Stevenson, 24; Chania Brooks, 27; and Tiffany Linder, 27—impregnating each of the four officers at least once. Owens had "Tavon" tattooed on her neck and Stevenson had "Tavon" tattooed on her wrist. The officers allegedly helped smuggle contraband into BCDC and other facilities. White allegedly gave Owens a diamond ring and gave luxury vehicles to Owens, Stevenson and Brooks.

In November, Officer Jasmin Jones, 24, allegedly stood guard outside a BCDC closet so Officer Kimberly Dennis, 26, and inmate Derius Duncan could have sex. Corrupt officers also warned BGF inmates about law enforcement operations. For example, Brooks and Linder allegedly notified White about upcoming canine scans and jail-cell searches. White then used his cell phone to spread the word to other inmates.

Ad Loading...

The defendants face up to 20 years in prison. Stevenson also faces five years in prison for possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

Other officers indicted include Antonia Allison, 27; Ebonee Braswell, 26; Taryn Kirkland, 23; Katrina LaPrade, 31; Vivian Matthews, 25; and Jasmine Thornton, 26.

Ad Loading...

More Patrol

Background orange tinted image of southern California with pushpin marking Burbank. Headline reads K-9 Killed by Gunman, Burbank Police Department
PatrolNovember 24, 2025

Police K-9 Killed, Suspect Dies in Shootout with Cops

A Burbank Police Department K-9 was fatally shot over the weekend by a passenger who fled on foot from a traffic stop. The armed suspect was killed in a shootout with officers.

Read More →
Thumbnail image with blue and red police lights against a black background, large POLICE logo, headline for From the Show Floor: InVeris
Patrolby Wayne ParhamNovember 23, 2025

From the Show Floor: InVeris

In this video, learn about how InVeris provides training to law enforcement, including customized augmented reality scenarios. The augmented reality system can scan up to 10,000 square feet of real-life environments and create a curriculum based on those spaces.

Read More →
Thumbnail image for video series POLICE From the Show Floor featuring Polaris Government & Defense.
Patrolby Wayne ParhamNovember 19, 2025

From the Show Floor: Polaris Government & Defense

Learn about Polaris Government & Defense in this video as POLICE visits their show booth to discover their side-by-sides and the advantages they provide for agencies.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
black background width image of police lights in middle and headline Dashcam Video Officers rescue Man from Burning Car
PatrolNovember 17, 2025

Dashcam Video Shows Officers Rescue Man from Burning Car

Dashcam video released by a New Jersey police department shows two of its officers rescuing an unconscious man from a burning car after a crash.

Read More →
blue background with image of a red dot sight and also second image of the red dot on a handgun lower right
PatrolNovember 17, 2025

Aimpoint COA optic + A-CUT Named Red Dot of the Year

The Aimpoint COA optic + A-CUT system has been named Red Dot of the Year by Guns & Ammo magazine. The new optic system was introduced in January 2025.

Read More →
Thumbnail for video series POLICE From the Show Floor, with headline text featuring Axon
Patrolby Wayne ParhamNovember 16, 2025

From the Show Floor: Axon

Join POLICE as we visit with Abi Stock, of Axon, to learn about the company’s latest technology offerings, such as Axon Assistant, Form One, and the DFR integration with Skydio.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
side view of a ballistic helmet in studio setting, black background, with sparks and smoke
PatrolNovember 16, 2025

Back Face Deformation, Brain Injury and Ballistic Helmets – Why the “Dent Doesn’t Matter” Claim Ignores Science

Alex Poythress, co-founder and CEO of Ballistic Armor Co., explains why ballistic helmet buyers should insist on full test data, including BFD measurements, standoff distance, and padding configuration, rather than rely solely on penetration ratings.

Read More →
Pink Streamlight Wedge XT flashlight.
PatrolNovember 13, 2025

Streamlight Marks 15 Years of Support for Breast Cancer Research Foundation With $20k Donation

In its 15th year of supporting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Streamlight donated $20,000 to help in the fight against cancer. Donations were generated through the sale of special Wedge XT models and other pink flashlights.

Read More →
center circle image of PTSD Help Expanded surrounded by military and first responder images
PatrolNovember 11, 2025

Police-Led Mental Health Charity Expands to Include Veterans

Talk To Me Post Tour (TTMPT), a non-profit organization that has been providing peer-support programs and professional psychological support for first responders, is now expanding services to military veterans.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
police officer holding a folded flag and headline for Officer Killed
PatrolNovember 10, 2025

WakeMed Campus Police Officer Killed in Hospital Shooting

A WakeMed Campus Police Officer died after being shot in the lobby of the emergency department at a North Carolina hospital over the weekend.

Read More →