BOSTON, Mass. - A corrections officer for MCI-Norfolk pleaded guilty today for his role in attempting to smuggle heroin into the facility for distribution and use by inmates.
RONALD P. MCGINN, JR., 40, of Bridgwater, pleaded guilty to possession of heroin with intent to distribute.
At today’s plea hearing, the prosecutor told the Court that McGINN, a corrections officer for the Massachusetts Department of Correction, was involved in a scheme to smuggle heroin into MCI-Norfolk with the intent to sell it to inmates. In a consensually recorded meeting with an undercover agent, as well as in several text messages between the two, McGINN outlined the amounts he would smuggle into the prison as well as the fee he would charge to do so. In addition, McGINN discussed his prior success in smuggling items into the prison. McGINN, who was to be paid $2,500 to bring the heroin into MCI-Norfolk, was arrested in April for possession of approximately 29 grams of heroin.
McGINN faces up to 20 years in federal prison to be followed by five years of supervised release and a $1 million fine. He is scheduled for sentencing on September 27 at 2 p.m.
United States Attorney Carmen M. Ortiz and Richard DesLauriers, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation - Boston Field Division, made the announcement today. The FBI investigated the case in cooperation with the Massachusetts Department Correction. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Eugenia M. Carris of Ortiz’s Public Corruption Unit.