TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — A woman who accepted bribes to smuggle tobacco to inmates at the Terre Haute Federal Correctional Complex will spend a year in prison.
Shauna N. Boatright, 36, of Fishers, Illinois, was sentenced to a 366 days in federal prison following her guilty plea to accepting a bribe as a public official.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Boatright began taking bribes in late 2021 after asking an inmate how she could make money. Officials said Boatright smuggled tobacco into the prison at least twice, and received five CashApp payments totaling $9,800 in return between Sep. 30 and Oct. 27, 2021.
“The defendant took an oath to enforce the law and protect those in her care. Instead, she abused her position for her own financial gain—risking the health and safety of her fellow correctional officers and the facility’s inmates,” U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Indiana Zachary A. Myers said. “Public service is a public trust, especially for those entrusted with positions in corrections and law enforcement. The vast majority of corrections officers serve with honesty and integrity, and those who instead choose to break the law themselves must be held accountable. Our office is committed to working closely with the FBI and DOJ-OIG to root out all forms of corruption or abuse in our federal prisons.”
In addition to her time behind bars, Judge James P. Hanlon ordered that Boatright be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for two years following her release. Boatright also must pay a $500 fine.
