A federal grand jury has indicted Karen Torres, a 50-year-old resident of St. Cloud, on one count of receipt of a bribe by a public official. The announcement was made by United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe in Ocala, Florida.
According to the indictment, Torres worked as a correctional officer for the Federal Bureau of Prisons at the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex in Sumter County. Prosecutors allege that between May 2022 and March 3, 2025, Torres accepted monetary payments to smuggle contraband into the prison.
If convicted, Torres faces up to 15 years in federal prison. The indictment also seeks forfeiture of $43,550, which authorities say represents the proceeds from the alleged offense.
"An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty," according to the statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The case is being investigated by the United States Department of Justice – Office of the Inspector General and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk Watson is prosecuting the case.
Officials noted that although these events occurred earlier, publication was delayed due to a government shutdown. The press release was issued following resumption of normal operations.
