Big Spring Corrections Instructor Sentenced for Role in Contraband Smuggling

A former correctional center instructor who admitted to smuggling and selling contraband inside of the Big Spring Correctional Center (BSCC) was sentenced to six months in federal prison on Friday.

Big Spring resident Ronald Craig Maxwell, 44, admitted lying to Special Agents with the Office of the Attorney General about smuggling contraband into the facility. Instead, he told the agents he smuggled bags of tobacco and marijuana out of the facility that had fallen through a ceiling tile in his office.

In reality, Maxwell provided alcohol and around 150-200 bags of Bugler Tobacco to BSCC inmate Lorenzo Salgado. Maxwell allegedly received at least $4,500 for the contraband. The DOJ said Maxwell taught at the BSCC as a contracted teacher from Howard College and that Salgado was one of his students.

Maxwell was sentenced on one charge of making false statements and aiding and abetting.

Maxwell was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paulina Jacobo and was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Sam R. Cumming. Maxwell was remanded to the custody U.S. Marshals after Friday’s hearing.