A 49-year-old federal prison officer, William S. Tidwell, pleaded guilty to accepting payments from an inmate under his care, violating his official duties, and forging documents to deceive his bank.
Tidwell, a Correctional Counselor for the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP), worked at the Federal Medical Center Devens (FMC Devens) in Massachusetts. He found himself entangled in a web of deceit involving an unnamed ultra-high-net-worth inmate, referred to as "Individual 1" in court documents. According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Tidwell accepted over $90,000 in benefits and a $50,000 property loan from this individual, violating BOP's rules and policies.
The illicit relationship commenced around 2018 when Tidwell, as a Correctional Counselor at FMC Devens, began receiving a steady stream of benefits from Individual 1. From 2019 to 2020, Tidwell received over $65,000 under the guise of a property management agreement with Individuals 1 and 2, the inmate's close associate. This arrangement, which blatantly contravened the duties and conduct of BOP employees, underscores how rogue elements can exploit and undermine the institution's credibility.
Per an article from WBUR, Tidwell has been employed by the BOP since 2000. BOP rules clearly state that employees may not receive payments, gifts, or personal favors from inmates, and Tidwell knowingly violated these rules in pursuit of material gain. He also lied to his bank about the $50,000 loan, then forged the associate’s signature to keep up the charade when asked for documentation.
As reported by WBUR, Individual 1 was a high-net-worth individual, convicted on federal charges in another jurisdiction.
Acting United States Attorney Joshua S. Levy, addressing the implications of Tidwell's betrayal, said in a statement, "The vast majority of corrections officers carry out their duties with integrity and professionalism. They know that accepting payments from an inmate – as [was] alleged against Mr. Tidwell here – is a serious violation of that trust and a betrayal of the BOP's mission to care for federal inmates in a safe and impartial manner."
Tidwell will be sentenced on December 7, 2023, and he faces the possibility of significant jail time and fines for his crimes.
