A former federal prison employee from Beeville has plead guilty to smuggling contraband into the Federal Correctional Institution in Three Rivers, as announced by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei. Ashley Priscilla Garza, 33, confessed to delivering items such as cigarettes, an MP3 player, and drug-laced papers to an inmate last year, as per the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Through her plea, Garza admitted to leveraging her position as a religious services assistant, to get contraband to an inmate in a scheme that spanned 2022 and 2023. In this process, she received a series of payments that, cumulatively, summed up to roughly $11,400. Despite the recognition of her transgressions, Garza was permitted to remain on bond, pending a sentencing hearing set for August 12.
Garza’s forthcoming sentencing could be severe, with the potential of a 15-year federal prison term and a maximum fine of $250,000 on the table. This information comes in the wake of her termination from her position after authorities discovered the smuggling operation.
The investigation into Garza's activities was led by the Department of Justice-Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael Chu, and Robert Thorpe are responsible for prosecuting this case. U.S. District Judge Nelva Gonzales Ramos, who will preside over the August sentencing hearing, could impose a sentence of up to 15 years in federal prison for Garza's smuggling activities.
