Man Pleads Guilty To Tossing Cellphones Over Fence At Danbury Prison

DANBURY, Conn. -- A Philadelphia man pleaded guilty on Thursday, Jan. 7, to throwing cellphones and marijuana, along with other items, over a fence at the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury on two separate occasions, said Deirdre M. Daly, U.S. attorney for Connecticut.

U.S. Attorney for Connecticut Deirde Daly
Photo Credit: *File*

K Reakes

01/08/2016 5:00 p.m.

Dana Erwin Taylor Jr., 24, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Michael P. Shea in Hartford to two counts of providing or attempting to provide contraband to an inmate of a federal prison.

According to court documents and statements made in court, Taylor traveled to the prison last January and threw several bundles containing approximately 12 cellphones, along with batteries and chargers, over the perimeter fence of the federal compound. The bundles were wrapped in green camouflage fabric and clear tape to provide protection from the weather.

The second incident happened in August, when Taylor was stopped at the fence and searched by officers who found a backpack containing 15 cellphones, along with batteries and chargers, eight bundles of synthetic marijuana, tobacco and other items. The items, which were also in bundles wrapped in green fabric and clear tape, were intended for one or more inmates at the prison.

Shea scheduled sentencing for May 18, at which time Taylor faces a maximum of two years in prison and a fine of up to $200,000.

The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Anastasia King.

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