National

5 Convicted in Gang-Led Corruption Scandal at Baltimore Jail

Published

11 years ago

February 6, 2015

In this June 6, 2013 file photo, an inmate transport van departs from the Baltimore City Detention Center in Baltimore. Federal prosecutors said on Thursday, Feb. 5, 2015, that a federal jury in Baltimore has convicted two of the jail’s guards, two inmates and a kitchen worker for their roles in a massive jailhouse drug and cellphone smuggling scheme. The defendants were part of a sweeping 44-person indictment handed down in 2013. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, FIle)

JULIET LINDERMAN, Associated Press

BALTIMORE (AP) — A case that grabbed headlines and exposed deep-seated corruption in Baltimore’s city jail, where gang commanders impregnated guards, dealt drugs behind bars and used smuggled cellphones to direct crimes on the streets, drew to a close Thursday when a federal jury convicted five people.

Three jail workers and two inmates were found guilty in the scheme, where gang leaders, not guards, ruled the institution. The convictions — and three acquittals — came after a two-month trial for the only eight people who didn’t plead guilty after a sweeping 44-person indictment was handed down in 2013. Of those charged, 27 were corrections officers.

Two former Baltimore City Detention Center guards, Ashley Newton and Travis Paylor; two inmates, Joseph Young and Russell Carrington, and a jail kitchen worker, Michelle McNair, were convicted for their roles in a racketeering conspiracy. Newton, Young and McNair were also convicted of money laundering.

“I think this case has made an impact, serving as a wakeup call about the scope of corruption within our prison system,” U.S. Attorney Rod Rosenstein said. “It’s made an impact to inspire the Department of Public Safety to implement reforms, and even the Maryland state legislature to consider reforms, and we think that’s a worthwhile effort.”

Prosecutors had said Young, known as “Monster,” was a Black Guerilla Family floor boss at the jail and administered punishments to two inmates suspected of stealing phones from another gang member. Young also sold drugs, cellphones and tobacco, and had sex with a corrections officer. Carrington, known as “Rutt,” was accused of trying to recruit correctional officers to help smuggle contraband.

The guards at the state-run jail allowed gang members to administer beatings to other inmates without consequence, prosecutors say. Newton was also accused of opening cell doors so gang members could attack inmates, and would routinely warn gang members about upcoming searches. McNair, who worked in the jail’s kitchen, was accused of having sex with gang members and helping transport drugs through a tunnel connecting two jail buildings.

Three other corrections officers – Riccole Hall, Michelle Ricks and Clarissa Clayton – were acquitted of charges that they had sex with inmates and smuggled contraband. All of the corrections officers have been fired.

The trial focused heavily on wiretapped conversations between inmates, though perhaps the most important testimony was from Tavon “Bulldog” White, whom prosecutors described as a Black Guerilla Family gang commander and the architect of the conspiracy.

White, who impregnated four of the guards while in the jail on an attempted murder charge, said he never forced a guard to participate.

“I didn’t have to,” White testified. “I had my children’s mothers, and plenty of other guards willing to do it for money.”

Ricks’ attorney, Richard Sussman, said the government’s case relied too heavily on White and other witnesses he said had “too much skin in the game.”

Carmen Hernandez, an attorney for McNair, pledged to appeal.

The indictments sparked harsh criticism, leading then-Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Secretary Gary Maynard to resign.

Since the indictment, the agency has increased personnel in its intelligence and investigations unit and is developing a polygraph unit to test guard applicants, spokesman Mark Vernarelli said.

Del. John Cluster, a Republican who is a former Baltimore County police officer, said part of the problem is that correctional officers often come from the same neighborhoods as gang members and know them, and the state needs help in determining if new hires have any affiliation with gangs.

On Thursday, newly appointed Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Secretary Stephen Moyer said he will work to reform the system used to recruit guards, and implement a new process for conducting background checks.

The department invested $4 million in technology that throws a virtual net over the facility to block calls on unauthorized cellphones. And the facility is searched at least once a week, Vernarelli said.

___

Associated Press writer Brian Witte in Annapolis contributed to this report.

___

Follow Juliet Linderman on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JulietLinderman

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Up Next

REPORT: Black Female Students Getting Much Harsher Punishments Than Classmates

Don't Miss

Detroit ‘Walking Man’ James Robertson Gets a New Car

Oakland Post

Click to comment

Activism

Oakland Post: Week of February 11 = 17, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of – February 11 – 17, 2026

Published

1 week ago

February 16, 2026

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Advice

Rising Optimism Among Small And Middle Market Business Leaders Suggests Growth for California

“Business leaders across the Pacific region continue to demonstrate a unique blend of resilience and forward-thinking, even in the face of ongoing economic uncertainty,” said Brennon Crist, Managing Director and Head of the Pacific Segment, Commercial Banking, J.P. Morgan. “Their commitment to innovation and growth is evident in the way they adapt to challenges and seize new opportunities. It’s this spirit that keeps our region at the forefront of business leadership and progress. We look forward to helping our clients navigate all that’s ahead in 2026.”

Published

2 weeks ago

February 14, 2026

Oakland Post

Super Scout / E+ with Getty Images.

Sponsored by JPMorganChase

Business optimism is returning for small and midsize business leaders at the start of 2026, fueling confidence and growth plans.

The 2026 Business Leaders Outlook survey, released in January by JPMorganChase reveals a turnaround from last June, when economic headwinds and uncertainty about shifting policies and tariffs caused some leaders to put their business plans on hold.

Midsize companies, who often find themselves more exposed to geopolitical shifts and policy changes, experienced a significant dip in business and economic confidence in June of 2025. As they have become more comfortable with the complexities of today’s environment, we are seeing optimism rebounding in the middle market nationwide – an encouraging sign for growth, hiring, and innovation. Small businesses, meanwhile, maintained steady optimism throughout 2025, but they aren’t shielded from domestic concerns. Many cited inflation and wage pressures as the top challenges for 2026 and are taking steps to ensure their businesses are prepared for what’s ahead.

Overall, both small and midsize business leaders are feeling more confident to pursue growth opportunities, embrace emerging technologies and, in some cases, forge new strategic partnerships. That bodes well for entrepreneurs in California. Here are a few other key findings from the Business Leaders Outlook about trends expected to drive activity this year:

Inflation remains the top concern for small business owners. Following the 2024 U.S. presidential election, many anticipated a favorable business environment. By June 2025, however, that feeling shifted amid concerns about political dynamics, tariffs, evolving regulations and global economic headwinds.
Going into 2026, 37% of respondents cited inflation as their top concern. Rising taxes came in second at 27% and the impact of tariffs was third at 22%. Other concerns included managing cash flow, hiring and labor costs.

For middle market leaders, uncertainty remains an issue. Almost half (49%) of all midsize business leaders surveyed cited “economic uncertainty” as their top concern – even with an improved outlook from a few months ago. Revenue and sales growth was second at 33%, while tariffs and labor both were third at 31%.
And tariffs are impacting businesses costs. Sixty-one percent of midsize business leaders said tariffs have had a negative impact on the cost of doing business.
Despite challenges, leaders are bullish on their own enterprises. Though the overall outlook is mixed, 74% of small business owners and 71% of middle market companies are optimistic about their company’s prospects for 2026.
Adaption is the theme. For small business owners surveyed across the U.S., responding to continuing pressures is important in 2026. Building cash reserves (47%), renegotiating supplier terms (36%) and ramping up investments in marketing and technology are among the top priorities.
Big plans are on the horizon. A majority midsized company leaders expect revenue growth this year, and nearly three out of five of (58%) plan to introduce new products or services in the coming year, while 53% look to expand into new domestic and/or international markets. Forty-nine percentsay they’re pursuing strategic partnerships or investments.

The bottom line

Rebounding optimism among U.S. business leaders at the start of the year is setting the stage for an active 2026. With business leaders looking to implement ambitious growth plans that position themselves for the future, momentum in California could be beneficial for leaders looking to launch, grow or scale their business this year.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

#NNPA BlackPress

COMMENTARY: The National Protest Must Be Accompanied with Our Votes

Just as Trump is gathering election data like having the FBI take all the election data in Georgia from the 2020 election, so must we organize in preparation for the coming primary season to have the right people on ballots in each Republican district, so that we can regain control of the House of Representatives and by doing so, restore the separation of powers and balance that our democracy is being deprived of.

Published

2 weeks ago

February 10, 2026

Oakland Post

Dr. John E. Warren, Publisher San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Newspaper. File photo..

By Dr. John E. Warren, Publisher San Diego Voice & Viewpoint Newspaper

As thousands of Americans march every week in cities across this great nation, it must be remembered that the protest without the vote is of no concern to Donald Trump and his administration.

In every city, there is a personal connection to the U.S. Congress. In too many cases, the member of Congress representing the people of that city and the congressional district in which it sits, is a Republican. It is the Republicans who are giving silent support to the destructive actions of those persons like the U.S. Attorney General, the Director of Homeland Security, and the National Intelligence Director, who are carrying out the revenge campaign of the President rather than upholding the oath of office each of them took “to Defend The Constitution of the United States.”

In California, the primary comes in June 2026. The congressional races must be a priority just as much as the local election of people has been so important in keeping ICE from acquiring facilities to build more prisons around the country.

“We the People” are winning this battle, even though it might not look like it. Each of us must get involved now, right where we are.

In this Black History month, it is important to remember that all we have accomplished in this nation has been “in spite of” and not “because of.” Frederick Douglas said, “Power concedes nothing without a struggle.”

Today, the struggle is to maintain our very institutions and history. Our strength in this struggle rests in our “collectiveness.” Our newspapers and journalists are at the greatest risk. We must not personally add to the attack by ignoring those who have been our very foundation, our Black press.

Are you spending your dollars this Black History Month with those who salute and honor contributions by supporting those who tell our stories? Remember that silence is the same as consent and support for the opposition. Where do you stand and where will your dollars go?