A former corrections employee was arrested earlier this month on criminal charges, The Union-Recorder has learned.
Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Stephen A. Bradley signed warrants for the arrest of Larissa Sheena White, 44, of Jenkins Street, Tennille, Ga. on Feb. 3.
White worked for The GEO Group Inc., the firm that operates Riverbend Correctional and Rehabilitation Facility in Baldwin County.
Warrants were taken out against White for violation of oath by a public official and trading with inmates without the consent of the warden, according to jail records on file at the Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office.
The warrants were taken out for White’s arrest by Georgia Department of Corrections Special Agent Timothy Konzelman.
On Jan. 27, White “did knowingly and willingly accept $7,297 through Cash App from an inmate at the Riverbend Correctional Facility in return for organizing other employees to introduce contraband into Riverbend Correction Facility, which is in violation of oath by a public officer,” according to an affidavit affixed to the arrest warrants.
Joan Heath, director of public affairs with the Georgia Department of Corrections, said the individual arrested in this case was not a state employee but was employed by The GEO Group Inc.
The Riverbend facility is located at 196 Laying Farm Road. The GEO Group Inc. was awarded a contract in 2011 by the Georgia Department of Corrections for the finance, design, construction and operation of the facility.
The facility has an inmate capacity of 1,500.
According to its website, The GEO Group Inc. helps inmates receive academic and vocational programming, as well as medical care, substance abuse treatment programs and group support.
“The desired mission of the facility is to provide quality programming to promote successful re-entry of inmates,” according to the website. “The Continuum of Care model currently implemented at Riverbend Correctional Facility and places intense focus on the therapeutic programming, education and job training based on current job market trends.”
White posted cash bonds totaling $3,200 and was released from the Baldwin County Jail after her arrest, according to Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office Maj. Scott Deason.
