Three Sentenced in Big Spring Correctional Contraband Smuggling Ring

Three were sentenced this week in connection to a prison smuggling ring at the Big Spring Correctional Center (BSCC) including one employee, the second in as many weeks sentenced for smuggling contraband to inmates.

Eva Bermea, a recreational specialist at the BSCC, was found guilty of smuggling tobacco and creatine to inmate Jonas Cruz, 34, who was selling the products to other inmates.

Bermea, 42, was sentenced to three years probation, eight months of which she will be under house arrest. Cruz had two years added to his 17 year methamphetamine distribution sentence to be served concurrently. Cruz and Bermea pleaded guilty to bribery of public officials and aiding and abetting.

The third party, Kami Nicole Bennet, 32, who assisted the operation by receiving money from Cruz’s brother and packaging the contraband, was sentenced to one year probation after pleading guilty to misprision of a felony and superseding information.

Big Spring Correctional Center is contracted to a private corporation, The GEO Group, Inc., through the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Calls made to both the Federal Bureau of Prisons and The GEO Group have not been returned.