Former religious services assistant charged for smuggling contraband into federal prison

HOUSTON – A 32-year-old Beeville resident has been taken into custody for smuggling contraband into a federal prison, announced U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani.

Ashley Priscilla Garza made her initial appearance in federal court in Corpus Christi.

Garza is charged with receiving a bribe as a public official. According to the indictment, returned June 26, Garza was employed as a religious services assistant at Federal Correctional Institution Three Rivers. During her employment, she allegedly abused the access her position gave her to smuggle contraband to an inmate in 2022 and 2023 in exchange for payment. 

If convicted, Garza faces up to 15 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.

The Department of Justice-Office of Inspector General conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joel Dunn and Michael Chu are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.