MIDLAND (January 30, 2013)--Thirteen former West Texas federal prison workers have been indicted in a bribery and smuggling investigation, prosecutors said Wednesday.
An indictment unsealed Wednesday in Midland names a dozen former guards at the Ector County Correctional Center in Odessa.
An ex-food service worker has also been indicted.
All 13 suspects were arrested Wednesday on bribery counts related to banned items smuggled to inmates in the federal detention facility.
Investigators said the contraband included cell phones, charges, tobacco and marijuana.
The cases date back to 2011.
The defendants are from Odessa, Austin, Monahans, Andrews and Crane.
A bribery conviction carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
