PHILADELPHIA: The first of six Philadelphia prison guards ensnared in an FBI sting pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court.
George Kindle, 29, admitted that he smuggled drugs and a cellphone into the House of Corrections for prisoners. In exchange, Kindle, who spent seven years as a Philadelphia corrections officer, received payments that totaled $2,000.
The prisoners, however, were working with the FBI.
Kindle pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted extortion and attempted distribution of controlled substances.
In 2013, prosecutors said, Kindle smuggled 100 OxyContin pills and a cellphone into the jail and gave them to a prisoner in exchange for cash. Kindle had obtained the pills and the phone from someone who – unbeknownst to him – was working with federal authorities.
Of the six corrections officers charged in September, Kindle was the only one caught receiving payments twice. He is to be sentenced Feb. 11.
The five other officers have pleaded not guilty. One is expected to change his plea later this month, according to court records. Trials for the four others are expected to take place early next year.
There were no indications, authorities said, that the six men coordinated their alleged schemes.
