Former Correctional Officer Sentenced to Prison for Accepting Bribes

BROWNSVILLE, Texas – A former correctional officer will now be on the other side of prison bars following his conviction of accepting bribes in his capacity as a public official, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Abe Martinez. Stephen Salinas, 23, of Edcouch, pleaded guilty Jan. 3, 2017.

Today, U.S. District Judge Andrew S. Hanen handed Salinas an 18-month sentence to be immediately followed by three years of supervised release. The term includes upward adjustments in his calculated sentencing guideline range because he received more than one bribe, was in a high level or sensitive position and used his position as a public official to facilitate the introduction of the contraband into a prison facility.

Salinas was a correctional officer formerly employed at the Management and Training Corporation (MTC) Willacy County Regional Detention Center. At the time of his plea, Salinas admitted that between October 2015 and January 2016, he accepted bribes in exchange for providing cell phones and gallon jugs of alcohol to inmates at the MTC Detention Center. He admitted he used his position as a correctional officer to smuggle the items into the facility. Was paid a total of approximately $3,000 for allowing the contraband into the facility.

Salinas was permitted to remain on bond and voluntarily surrender to the U.S. Marshals Service at a later date.

Department of Justice - Office of Inspector General, U.S. Marshals Service and Department of Homeland Security conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Angel Castro prosecuted the case.