Maryland Prison Gang Leader Pleads Guilty

A Maryland prison gang leader has recently pleaded guilty to a racketeering conspiracy, as he was dressed in a navy blue jumpsuit and conferred quietly with his attorney in the courtroom Tuesday.

Gang Leader, Tavon White, who bragged about taking control of a state-run jail, admitted Tuesday to directing a drug smuggling operation. Moreover, White indicated, “that the number of corrupt corrections officers engaged in drug-trafficking and sexual relationships with inmates at the pretrial detention center in Baltimore far exceeded the 13 female guards charged in an indictment in the spring.”

Thus, White has been the first person in federal court to plead guilty to this sweeping case as it first became public in April and it could lead to more. Next week, one corrections officer, who was charged in the case, intends to plead guilty at a hearing.

White, who was pat of the Black Guerrilla Family, admitted in a plea agreement that he signed last month that he used corrections officers to smuggle in cellphones, tobacco, prescription pills and other drugs that he and other gang members sold at a huge markup.  Also, in a phone call recorded by investigators, White admitted that he made more than $15,000 during a slow month behind bars. And he admitted to bribing the corrections officers as he shared the profits with them and gave them gifts. Among one of the gifts that White gave was luxury cars. Moreover, he admitted in court papers that he had sex with four of the corrections officers who later became pregnant.

For instance, one of White’s co-defendants, Jennifer Owens, who is 31-years-old, has two children with White and is scheduled to plead guilty next week, according to her attorney. White also drove two Mercedes-Benz vehicles that were paid for by White. Although Owens pleaded guilty most of White’s co-defendants have pleaded not guilty at their initial court appearances.

Moreover, as stated by White, “he knew many other correctional officers involved in contraband trafficking and sexual relations with inmates,” according to the plea deal. It was also reported that White only went as far as eighth grade in school and then he joined the Black Guerrilla Family in 2000 before he was charged with attempted murder charges for more than three years at the Baltimore City Detention Center. Also, he stated that he became “commander” at the city jail in 2011, according to court filings.

As stated by White’s attorney, Gary Proctor, “He realized the damages his actions have caused him, his family and the Maryland correctional system and wished to accept responsibility at the earliest possible juncture.”

Also, the investigation is still on going and there have been “allegations of lax security and oversight that prosecutors said allowed White to essentially take charge of the jail.” This incident has rocked Maryland’s prison system and there are several legislative hearings in Annapolis and several questions have been raised for Governor Martin O’Malley as well as state corrections leaders. These state corrections leaders have also changed the way that the department handles prison investigations.

White faces a maximum sentence of 20 years with a fine of up to $250,000 and he also faces 20 years for a separate case of attempted second-degree murder and a related gun charge.