A federal jury convicted Patrick Shackelford, a former correctional officer at U.S. Penitentiary Atlanta, for accepting bribes and conspiring with inmates to smuggle drugs and contraband into the facility, according to an April 6 announcement from the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia. Shackelford was taken into custody after the verdict on April 2.
The case highlights concerns about corruption within correctional facilities and its impact on safety for both staff and inmates. The investigation revealed a scheme in which visitors brought packages containing methamphetamine, marijuana, tobacco, cell phones, and other items through a secret hole in the visitation area restroom.
"Instead of fulfilling his duty to safeguard a federal prison, Shackelford took bribes from inmates to facilitate their smuggling of large quantities of methamphetamine and other contraband for distribution to other inmates," said U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg. "Shackelford betrayed his oath, chose to be a corrupt tool of the inmates in his charge, and potentially endangered the safety and security of his fellow officers and prisoners through his brazen conduct." Hertzberg held the position of United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia according to the official website.
Acting Special Agent in Charge Peter Ellis from FBI Georgia said: "By abusing his position to smuggle drugs and other contraband into USP-Atlanta, Shackelford undermined the safety and security of the institution, his fellow officers, and the inmates in their custody. The FBI remains committed to rooting out corruption at every level and holding accountable those who violate the public’s trust." Eric Fehlman from DOJ Office of Inspector General added: "The Correctional Officer’s acts compromised the safety and security of the federal prison. The Department of Justice Office of Inspector General is committed to rooting out corruption and bringing perpetrators to justice."
From June 2018 through February 2019, Shackelford worked with several inmates—including Patrick Kirkman, Mitchell Arms, James Hughes—to bring narcotics into USP-Atlanta by creating passageways under supervision while performing plumbing repairs as part of their work detail.
In exchange for facilitating this operation—which included allowing access to restricted areas—Shackelford received $5,000 cash plus pain pills; Hughes paid nearly $20,000 via Cash App during this period so that packages could be delivered inside by associates during visitation weekends.
Prison officials discovered over a pound of pure methamphetamine along with marijuana products hidden above ceiling tiles in February 2019—one of the largest such recoveries at USP-Atlanta.
Kirkman pleaded guilty on Feb. 11; Arms pleaded guilty on June 18; Hughes pleaded guilty last October—all related charges stemming from this conspiracy.
Sentencing for Shackelford is set for July 20 before Judge William M. Ray II; he faces a mandatory minimum sentence without parole eligibility.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office serves as principal law enforcement agency across north Georgia mountains through metro Atlanta suburbs bordering Alabama & Carolinas according to its official website. It enforces criminal laws while representing United States interests civilly & collaborates closely with law enforcement agencies according to its official website. Prosecutors Alex R. Sistla & Garrett L Bradford are handling this case.
