A Florida Department of Corrections Officer faces 28 counts of bribery and other charges following a state investigation.
An Office of Inspector General (OIG) affidavit states Kenneth Stone Johns made arrangements with inmates to smuggle illegal cigarettes, illegal drugs and cellphones into the Regional Medical Center Prison between February and October 2018. The report adds that Johns was observed on video surveillance as cigarettes were falling out of his pants leg at the prison entrance.
Additionally, the OIG report states Johns received $4971.50 in bribes through electronic transfers in order to smuggle the contraband into the prison in Bradford County. Several transactions also took place in Union County according to authorities.
In addition to 28 bribery counts, Johns faces 28 counts of unlawful use of two-way communication devices.
“Based on a sworn interview with Inmate [name redacted from report], Sergeant Johns smuggled in a cell phone into the prison and provided the cell phone to the inmate so Johns could coordinate the drug pickups / receiving the electronic money orders,” the OIG affidavit states.
First Coast News reached out to the Florida Department of Corrections regarding the case.
“The actions of this former employee do not reflect the thousands of upstanding FDC officers across the state who perform their duties everyday with integrity,” Florida Department of Corrections press secretary Patrick Manderfield said. He added, “We applaud the work of our Inspector General and law enforcement partners for their thorough investigation and for ensuring this individual was held accountable.”
Johns is currently in Bradford County Jail on bonds totaling $420,000.
