Former State Correctional Officer Sentenced Following Smuggling Conspiracy
Eric Christian, a former Washington State correctional officer, was sentenced to 46-months in federal prison and three-years supervised release for conspiring with inmates to smuggle drugs and cell phones into the Benton County Jail in exchange for money.
Court documents and information disclosed during court proceedings indicate that Christian and six co-defendants conspired to introduce multiple cell phones, methamphetamine, heroin, suboxone strips, and other contraband between January and April 2020. Christian and his coconspirators also gave dangerous offenders and gang members access to target and retaliate against cooperating defendants as well as inmates charged with specific offenses.
Christian initially pled guilty in December 2021 to conspiracy to provide prohibited objects to a prison inmate.
At sentencing, Chief Judge Stanley Bastian for the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington, noted that Christian not only threatened the stability and safety of the inmates by trafficking phones and drugs, but was directly responsible for the assault on inmates.
“This abuse of trust and turning a blind eye when other inmates were assaulted, shook the very core of a system that depends on correctional officers to keep inmates safe,” concluded Chief Judge Bastian.
“Integrity throughout the criminal justice system is essential to the fair administration of justice. It is unacceptable for a public official to violate their responsibility and position of community trust,” stated Craig Thayer, U.S. Marshal for the Eastern District of Washington. ‘Law enforcement will not tolerate the very few who dishonor their badge, as the vast majority continue to serve with honor and integrity.”
The U.S. Marshal’s Service (USMS), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Tri-Cities Task Force, investigated the case with assistance from the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.