A 36-year-old Miami man, currently incarcerated in Sumter County, is facing a potential life sentence after his visitors were caught smuggling methamphetamine into a federal prison. Jessie Wooden has pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, the U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida, Roger B. Handberg, confirmed on February 3, 2025.
Wooden, who is an inmate at the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex (FCC Coleman), was involved in a smuggling operation on March 10, 2024. Surveillance footage captured a visitor throwing a bag containing contraband into the prison during a visitation session. Upon inspection, officers discovered the bag contained 78 grams of methamphetamine.
During questioning, Wooden admitted to orchestrating the smuggling of methamphetamine and other contraband into the facility with the help of visitors. He further confessed that his plan was to distribute the drugs to other inmates within the prison for profit.
As a result of this plea, Wooden now faces a minimum sentence of 10 years in prison, with the possibility of serving up to life behind bars. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.
This case is part of a broader initiative by the U.S. Department of Justice to eliminate contraband and misconduct in the Federal Bureau of Prisons. The investigation and prosecution are being led by the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General, FBI, DEA, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida. Assistant U.S. Attorney Hannah Nowalk Watson is handling the prosecution.
