USP Coleman II, part of the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex in Sumter County, Florida, where a federal correctional officer is accused of accepting bribes to smuggle contraband to an inmate. Photo Credit:Federal Bureau of Prisons / Public Domain.
Weston Burney, 34, was indicted on two federal charges following allegations that he accepted payments in exchange for smuggling contraband into the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex.1
The U.S. Department of Justice announced the indictment Friday, October 23.
According to federal prosecutors, the alleged activity occurred between February and June 2025, while Burney was employed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
During that period, investigators allege Burney received money in exchange for bringing tobacco and MDMB-4en-PINACA, a Schedule I controlled substance, into the prison for an inmate.
Federal authorities allege the payments were made in return for actions that violated Burney’s responsibilities as a correctional officer.
Burney has been charged with receiving a bribe as a public official and providing contraband to a federal prisoner.
If convicted, he faces a maximum of 15 years in federal prison on the bribery charge and 10 years on the contraband charge. These are potential maximum penalties, not a sentence that has been imposed.
Prosecutors are also seeking the forfeiture of property or money connected to the alleged offenses, according to the indictment.
The case was investigated by the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Assistant United States Attorney Angela Moon Palacios is prosecuting the case.
Several details remain unclear, including the total amount of money Burney allegedly received, whether other individuals were involved, and his current employment status with the federal prison system.
Burney has not been convicted of the charges. An indictment is a formal accusation, and he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
The Pasco Signal will continue monitoring the case for additional developments, including future court proceedings and any further information released by federal authorities.
Editor’s Note: This report is based on information released by the U.S. Department of Justice on October 23, 2026. The allegations outlined in the federal indictment have not been proven in court. The Pasco Signal will update this report as additional verified information becomes available.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.
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