Baltimore, Md. — Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced Monday that ten people, including multiple correctional employees, have been indicted in connection with three separate contraband smuggling operations uncovered at Jessup Correctional Institution (JCI) in Anne Arundel County.
The indictments follow a sweeping investigation led by the Maryland Office of the Attorney General’s Organized Crime Unit and the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS), targeting corruption and illicit trafficking within one of the state’s largest maximum-security facilities.
“We trust correctional staff to keep prisons safe — not smuggle contraband to the people they supervise,” Attorney General Brown said. “Our Office will always prosecute public servants who abuse their positions and undermine prison safety.”
DPSCS Secretary Carolyn J. Scruggs said the department acted quickly once allegations surfaced, launching an internal investigation and suspending implicated staff.
“Any allegations of misconduct are taken with utmost seriousness,” Scruggs said. “Our detectives executed the arrests promptly, and any DPSCS employee who has been so charged will remain suspended throughout the disciplinary process.”
Scheme 1: Veteran Correctional Officer Accused of Large-Scale Drug Smuggling
The first conspiracy centers on Sgt. Awungjia Rita Atabong, a 13-year veteran correctional officer accused of smuggling drugs and other contraband for multiple inmates. According to prosecutors, Atabong communicated with incarcerated individuals through contraband cellphones, met with their outside associates to pick up packages, and was paid thousands of dollars for her participation.
Investigators say Atabong even warned one inmate about an active contraband interdiction operation.
A July 14 search of her Anne Arundel County home uncovered a large stash of contraband packaged for delivery into the prison, including:
- 200 pills containing fentanyl and methamphetamine
- 7,911 pills containing MDMA and methamphetamine
- 78 grams of cannabis
- 733 buprenorphine strips
- Multiple cellphones and chargers
- Tobacco, psilocin, THC concentrate, and drug-soaked papers
Defendants charged in this scheme include:
- Awungjia Atabong, 39, of Laurel — 40-count indictment including misconduct in office and multiple drug and contraband offenses
- Michael Cates, 33 — 9-count indictment
- Tavon Williams, 41 — 10-count indictment
- Tyrell Smith, 36 — 9-count indictment
- James Gilyard IV, 36 — 6-count indictment
All incarcerated defendants face additional charges for illegal cellphone possession.
Scheme 2: Correctional Educator Accused of Smuggling Drugs, Food, Luxury Items
In a separate conspiracy, correctional educator Lakesha Murry allegedly smuggled drugs, cigarettes, food, and other banned items into JCI for incarcerated students, receiving money and luxury items — including a Gucci bag — in return.
Investigators say Murry used a contraband cellphone to take requests and hid items on her person before distributing them during classes. Security footage also showed her kissing an incarcerated student.
In June, Murry allegedly passed cigarettes and sheets of synthetic-cannabis-soaked paper to inmate Kevin Glover inside a classroom.
Defendants charged in this scheme include:
- Lakesha Murry, 49, of Middle River — 15-count indictment
- Allen Mitchell, 39 — 7-count indictment
- Kevin Glover, 46 — 8-count indictment
Scheme 3: Correctional Officer Accused of Inappropriate Relationship, Smuggling Electronics
The third conspiracy involves Correctional Officer Kathyrn Hawes, who prosecutors say developed an inappropriate relationship with inmate Artemis Booker and smuggled in items including a watch, tobacco, and a flash drive.
Hawes allegedly coordinated the smuggling through text messages sent to Booker’s contraband cellphone. When Booker’s cell was later searched, investigators recovered the watch and additional prohibited items.
Hawes was arrested at JCI and found hiding more contraband on her person.
Defendants charged in this scheme include:
- Kathryn Hawes, 29, of Laurel — 3-count indictment
- Artemis Booker, 50 — 7-count indictment
The cases are filed in the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County. Murry, Atabong, and Hawes were released on their own recognizance pending trial. The incarcerated defendants remain in custody on existing sentences.
A criminal indictment is an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
