LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) — A former Federal Medical Center Lexington employee has pleaded guilty to bribery charges after smuggling tobacco and synthetic marijuana into the federal prison facility in exchange for thousands of dollars in payments, according to a plea agreement.

Jade Howard entered a guilty plea to federal bribery charges in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky. Howard, the document read, worked as both a correctional officer and materials handler at the Federal Medical Center Lexington from 2021 through Oct. 16, 2024.

According to the document, Howard began smuggling contraband in spring 2023 when an inmate approached her about bringing tobacco cigarettes into the facility.

"Defendant wanted the money, she agreed to and did smuggle the contraband t

See Full Page