December 8, 2024 – SACRAMENTO, CA – Stephen Joseph Crittenden, 44, of Suisun City, was sentenced on Thursday, 
December 5, 2024, by U.S. District Judge Troy L. Nunley to two years and one month in prison for bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds, U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert announced.
According to court documents, Crittenden was a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation correctional officer at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville. From 2021 through 2023, he accepted bribes from inmates, totaling more than $45,000, to smuggle cellphones into the California Medical Facility.
"Crittenden abused the trust placed in correctional officers by repeatedly taking bribes to smuggle contraband into a prison," said U.S. Attorney Talbert. "Today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of his abuse of trust and should deter other correctional officers from engaging in the same conduct."
"The FBI has no tolerance for corruption by public employees – especially law enforcement officers – who are entrusted to uphold the law and serve the public. No person is above the law," said FBI Sacramento Special Agent in Charge Sid Patel. "This case exemplifies the strong partnership between the FBI and CDCR. The FBI works tirelessly to ensure corrupt public officials are held accountable to preserve the public’s trust in and integrity of these vital positions."
This case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, with assistance from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicholas M. Fogg prosecuted the case.
Source: DOJ Release
Former Prison Correctional Officer at the California Medical Facility in Vacaville is Indicted for Accepting Bribes