The former warden of Smith State Prison in Glennville, was indicted last week in connection with alleged involvement in a smuggling operation.
Brian Adams, 52, of Waycross, faces charges of violating the Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act, false statements, tampering with evidence (two counts) and violation of oath by a public officer. (two counts).
The six-count indictment was handed up May 13 in Tattnall County Superior Court records showed. All are felonies.
According to a news release from Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr, the contraband smuggling operation was tied to an inmate, Nathan Weekes, and a prison gang known as YSL Squad.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation was requested by Carr in May 2022 for an allegation of corruption, stemming from evidence into an 88year-old’s death in Glennville.
According to the GBI, Weekes was charged in 2021 with conspiracy to commit murder and party to a crime in 88-year-old Bobby Kicklighter’s death. Weekes was already in custody at that time.
Adams allegedly acquired and maintained control of money and contraband through racketeering.
He is accused of engaging in acts that include, but are not limited to, bribery, money laundering, tampering with evidence and providing false statements.
According to Carr’s release, Adams reportedly accepted money to move Weekes out of solitary confinement. He also is accused of concealing prison shanks and contraband cell phones by burying them at his home to obstruct an investigation.
“Those who work in our prisons are expected to protect Georgians from the most dangerous criminals, not become one themselves,” said Carr. “Using a state position to profit off gang activity and contraband, if proven, is completely inexcusable and will lead to prosecution by our office. Public corruption at any level will not be tolerated.”
