U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that TYRELL C. SUTHERLAND, age 28, of New Orleans, pled guilty to one count of Conspiracy to Provide Contraband into a Prison Facility, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 371.
According to court documents, in or about 2008, the Orleans Parish Prison ("OPP") contracted with the United States Marshals Service to provide for the custody, care, and safekeeping of federal prisoners in the Eastern District of Louisiana. During that year, SUTHERLAND, then employed as an Orleans Parish Sheriff's Deputy, smuggled contraband items (including marijuana and cell phones) into the facility.
The Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office suspended SUTHERLAND on Sept. 25, 2008, and terminated his employment on Oct. 22, 2008.
SUTHERLAND faces a maximum penalty of five (5) years' imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, three (3) years' supervised release, and an $100.00 special assessment.
Sentencing is set for Sept. 17, 2014, before United States District Judge Stanwood R. Duval, Jr.
U.S. Attorney Polite stated, "Sutherland's criminal conduct jeopardized the safety of his fellow Sheriff's Deputies and the inmates he was entrusted to protect. We will not tolerate this type of misconduct that undermines public trust in our law enforcement community."
U.S. Attorney Polite also thanked the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office for their cooperation and assistance in investigating this matter. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Duane A. Evans.
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Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
