Cornelius Alexander Thompson, 38, of Ocala, pleaded guilty on July 21 to one count of sexual abuse of a ward in federal custody and one count of receipt of a bribe by a public official. He faces up to 15 years in federal prison on each count. A sentencing date has not been set. The indictment also indicates that the United States will seek an order for forfeiture of $24,550, which represents proceeds from the bribery offense, according to U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe.
According to court records, Thompson was employed as a correctional officer at the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex (FCC Coleman) in Sumter County by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Between January 2020 and August 9, 2023, he engaged in a sexual act with a federal inmate under his custodial authority at the prison.
Court documents also state that between January 2020 and April 29, 2024, Thompson received money for unlawfully smuggling contraband into FCC Coleman for inmates. Items smuggled included K2 (synthetic marijuana), fentanyl, PCP, methamphetamine, ketamine, suboxone, marijuana, cigarettes, and cellphones.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Justice – Office of the Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk Watson is prosecuting.