A federal jury convicted Patrick Shackelford, a former correctional officer at U.S. Penitentiary Atlanta, of accepting bribes and conspiring with inmates to smuggle narcotics and contraband into the facility, according to an April 6 announcement. Shackelford was taken into custody immediately after the verdict on April 2.
The case highlights concerns about corruption within correctional institutions and its impact on safety for both staff and inmates. “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.”
According to court information presented by Hertzberg, between June 2018 and February 2019, Shackelford conspired with several federal inmates—Patrick Kirkman, Mitchell Arms, James Hughes—and others in an elaborate scheme that used a hidden hole in the visitation area restroom for smuggling drugs such as methamphetamine and marijuana into USP-Atlanta. Shackelford assisted by allowing access to restricted areas for hiding contraband packages; he also received $5,000 in cash plus pain pills as payment.
Prison officials discovered over two dozen packages containing more than a pound of pure methamphetamine along with marijuana products during a search in February 2019—one of the largest contraband finds at USP-Atlanta.
Kirkman pleaded guilty to federal bribery charges earlier this year; Arms admitted guilt regarding prohibited objects last year; Hughes pleaded guilty in October 2023 on conspiracy counts related to bribery as well as providing drugs inside prison walls.
Sentencing for Shackelford is set for July 20 before U.S. District Judge William M. Ray II; he faces at least ten years’ imprisonment without parole.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) along with the Department of Justice Office of Inspector General (OIG). “Correctional facilities depend on the integrity of those entrusted to safeguard them,” said Peter Ellis, Acting Special Agent in Charge for FBI Georgia.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia served as lead prosecutor on this case—a region covering north Georgia mountains through Atlanta suburbs up against borders with Alabama and Carolinas—as reported by the official website. The office enforces federal criminal laws while representing civil matters alongside law enforcement partners protecting public safety according to its official site.
Hertzberg holds the position as United States Attorney overseeing these prosecutions according to official records. The office coordinates cases involving nationwide or international dimensions as stated online.
