Corrections officer charged with bribery and conspiracy

NEWARK, NJ — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced on Oct. 27 that Christopher Smoaks, a senior correctional police officer at Northern State Prison in Newark, has been arrested and charged with bribery in official matters and conspiracy. Smoaks, 31, of Jersey City, allegedly received payment from an inmate’s relative in return […]

Corrections officer in Newark accused of taking bribes

Corrections officer in Newark accused of taking bribes

NEWARK, NJ — Acting Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced Sept. 7 that a corrections officer at Northern State Prison in Newark has been charged after allegedly accepting monthly bribe payments from an inmate, in exchange for illegally smuggling contraband into the facility for that prisoner, including cash, jewelry, cologne, cold cuts and espresso. Werner […]

Inmate and his sister indicted for smuggling drugs, phones into prison

NEWARK, NJ — Acting Attorney General Andrew J. Bruck announced Oct. 5 that an inmate and his sister have been indicted by a state grand jury for conspiring to smuggle contraband — including synthetic cannabinoid, or “K2,” and mini-cellular telephones — into Northern State Prison in Newark, where the inmate allegedly distributed the contraband to […]

AG announces charges against alleged ‘hit squad’ of prison inmates

AG announces charges against alleged ‘hit squad’ of prison inmates

TRENTON, NJ — Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal announced April 29 that an alleged local leader of the Latin Kings street gang and eight inmates allegedly under his command in various correctional facilities — including Northern State Prison in Newark and New Jersey State Prison in Trenton — have been charged with forming a “hit […]

Correctional officer pleads guilty to drug smuggling

NEWARK, NJ — Attorney Gen. Gurbir Grewal announced that a suspended senior correctional police officer at Northern State Prison in Newark pleaded guilty Oct. 10 to smuggling fentanyl and marijuana to an inmate in the prison in exchange for money. Roberto Reyes-Jackson, 30, of Irvington, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit official misconduct before Superior […]