Joshua S. Levy, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts
A Massachusetts state employee and a federal prison inmate face charges related to the distribution of synthetic cannabinoids, known as "K2," into FMC Devens. Tasha Hammock, 43, an employee with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, and Raymond Gaines, 45, an inmate at FMC Devens, are accused of conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance analogue. Hammock was arrested and appeared in federal court in Boston. Gaines is set to appear later.
Gaines was sentenced in January 2022 to over seven years for drug-related offenses but received clemency on January 17, 2025, reducing his sentence to five years. He has past convictions tied to drug distribution near schools and alleged gang affiliations.
The charges allege that Hammock passed K2-laced papers to Gaines during a visit on August 18, 2024. She is also accused of handling money linked to K2 distribution within the prison and receiving K2 at her residence for further smuggling activities.
Law enforcement's interest in Hammock began after obtaining a cellphone allegedly smuggled into the prison by another inmate ("Inmate A"). Messages from Inmate A discussed acquiring K2 and mentioned Hammock's address as a delivery point.
K2 poses health risks at FMC Devens due to exposure among inmates and staff. The charge carries potential penalties of up to 20 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and fines up to $1 million.
The announcement came from United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Jodi Cohen of the FBI's Boston office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan O’Shea is prosecuting the case.
