Source: Office of United States Attorneys
Ocala, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Jessie Wooden (36, Miami) has pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. Wooden faces a minimum of 10 years, up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
According to court records, on March 10, 2024, Wooden was an inmate at the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex (FCC Coleman) in Sumter County. During a visitation session, surveillance footage captured Wooden being thrown a bag containing contraband that had been smuggled into the prison. Correctional officers confiscated the bag, which contained 78 grams of methamphetamine. When interviewed by law enforcement, Wooden admitted to having visitors bring contraband into the prison for him. He also confirmed that he was going to distribute the methamphetamine inside FCC Coleman.
This case is being prosecuted as part of a United States Department of Justice task force aimed at rooting out contraband and misconduct in the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The task force was led by the Federal Bureau of Prisons and the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General, with support from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk Watson.