A Massachusetts attorney has confessed to participating in a conspiracy to smuggle contraband into the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Center in Rhode Island. The announcement was made by Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom.
Theresa Marie DiJoseph, aged 51, pleaded guilty to charges including possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance analogue, conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, and providing a prohibited object to an inmate. Her sentencing is scheduled for June 12, 2025. The final sentence will be determined by a federal district judge considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
DiJoseph admitted that she conspired with three others in late 2023 to smuggle papers soaked with K2, a synthetic marijuana, into the detention center. Court information revealed that DiJoseph used her position as an attorney to meet detainee Shawn D. Hart, aged 47, with whom she had a personal relationship, under the guise of conducting legal work.
On December 1, 2023, during an attempted visit with Hart, correctional officers at Wyatt seized ten sheets of paper from DiJoseph. These papers appeared discolored and thicker than normal and were suspected of having been wet and dried. They were sent to an FBI lab where Schedule I controlled substances were confirmed present.
In court today, DiJoseph also admitted making false statements to the FBI during their investigation into the contraband source she tried bringing into the detention center.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Julianne Klein and Peter I. Roklan. The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Center Professional Standards Unit.