A former Philadelphia corrections officer has admitted to accepting a cash payment from an inmate of the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility in exchange for smuggling illicit drugs and a cell phone into the prison.
John Wesley Herder, 49, of Philadelphia, pleaded guilty on Jan. 20 to attempted extortion under color of official right, attempted distribution of controlled substances and making false statements within federal jurisdiction.
Herder was working at CFCF in October 2013 when he agreed to accept $1,000 to deliver Oxycontin pills and a cell phone to an inmate. The inmate arranged for Herder to meet an accomplice outside the prison on Oct. 17, when Herder obtained his payment, 100 unprescribed Oxycontin pills and a Nokia phone. Herder told the accomplice he was willing to smuggle additional contraband into the prison at a later time. Herder delivered the pills and phone to the inmate on Oct. 29.
Federal investigators questioned Herder about the transaction last June 18, but Herder denied smuggling anything into the prison. Herder faces up to 45 years in prison. A sentencing date has not been set. ••
