A Niles man who worked at the Trumbull Correctional Institution pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court in Cleveland to charges that he smuggled drugs and other illegal items into the state prison.

James P. Jackson, 39, was employed by TCI in Leavittsburg from 2022 through 2024. He served as a corrections officer and later, as a general maintenance worker, where he regularly came into contact with inmates, a federal court document states. His work duties and responsibilities allowed him full access to nonpublic areas, including prison cells.

Jackson was in communication with the wife of a TCI inmate. After some time spent exchanging text messages and keeping in touch by phone, the two agreed to meet. On Feb. 1, 2024, they met and she handed him two large, wrapped packages for him to deliver to her husband, the federal court document states.

In return, Jackson accepted an initial bribe of $1,000 from her and was promised an additional $1,000 after the contraband was successfully delivered to the intended recipient. The next day, Jackson attempted to take the packages into TCI, but was intercepted by law enforcement before entering.

The investigation revealed that the packages Jackson received — and attempted to smuggle into the prison — contained 97.67 grams of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, 207.63 grams of synthetic cannabinoid, 32.85 grams of phencyclidine (aka PCP or angel dust), various other drugs, a cellphone and SIM cards.

Jackson pleaded guilty Tuesday after being charged by information for Hobbs Act extortion under color of official right for accepting money to smuggle two packages into TCI using his capacity as an employee of the facility. He faces a maximum of up to 20 years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines.

A federal district court judge will determine his sentence. Sentencing has not yet been scheduled.

This investigation was conducted by the FBI Cleveland Division, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Trumbull Correctional Institutions-Office of Investigations, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol-Office of Criminal Investigations Prison Drug Unit and Investigative Services for the Warren District.

Assistant United States Attorneys Chelsea S. Rice and Rebecca C. Lutzko prosecuted the case for the Northern District of Ohio.