Pubdate: Mon, 24 Sep 2007
Source: Bulletin, The (Philadelphia, PA)
Copyright: 2007 The Bulletin
Contact:  http://www.thebulletin.us
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4534
Author: Jim McCaffrey, The Bulletin

GRATERFORD GUARDS BUSTED FOR SMUGGLING DRUGS INTO  PRISON

Philadelphia - Four Graterford State Prison guards and  an alleged
drug dealer were indicted Friday on federal  charges of smuggling
drugs and cell phones to inmates.

The federal government took control of the  investigation and
prosecution using provisions of the  Interstate Commerce Act.

In separate indictments, Graterford guards Tony Strong,  46, Allen
Littles, 37, Sheri Allen, 38, and Ronald  Smith, 51, all of
Philadelphia, are charged with  smuggling pot, cocaine, marijuana and
cell phones to  inmates. Each of the guards is also charged with  extortion.

Howard "Smitty" Grant, 37, is the alleged drug dealer  indicted
Friday.

He is charged with not only supplying drugs that were  smuggled into
the prison but also with paying off the  guards with drugs. He is also
alleged to have given  more than five pounds of marijuana to an
accomplice  whom he believed was helping a convicted murderer
(identified in the indictment only as "C.W.") in an  escape plan. The
escape was foiled.

Friday's arrests continue an ongoing investigation into  the workings
of the prison.

Daphne Nedab, a former Graterford guard, was charged  earlier this
year with insurance fraud. Guard Charles  Bob was charged with drug
distribution at another  prison in 2002.

The FBI, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections,  and the
Pennsylvania State Police are conducting the  investigation.

U.S. Attorney Pat Meehan commented, "The indictments  today allege
that for a few dollars these guards  violated the rules and the trust
placed in them by both  prison officials and the taxpayers of
Pennsylvania."

Meehan told reporters that the guards were sometimes  paid with
marijuana they allegedly then resold.

"They weren't collecting big money, but it was easy  money," he
declared. "They broke the law while being  paid to ensure inmates
followed the rules. The  investigators often found it difficult to
differentiate  between the good guys and the bad guys. Officers
wearing this proud uniform should be enforcing the  rules and laws not
breaking them."
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