A senior corrections officer at Northern State Prison in Newark is charged with accepting bribes.
A state grand jury has voted to file multiple charges against Werner Gramajo, 46, of Newark. They allege he smuggled contraband for months like cold cuts, cologne, eyeglasses, jewelry and stamps into the prison in exchange for money.
Authorities say Gramajo also told investigators he only smuggled contraband once. In a special custody report to the New Jersey Department of Corrections Central Office, authorities say Gramajo admitted to smuggling cold cuts to an inmate, but denied smuggling other items, and denied being involved in a monetary exchange.
“Corrections officers are public servants and the majority of them honor their oaths and serve as examples to their community, as well as those under their care,” said Attorney General Matthew Platkin. “But when anyone supervising and overseeing a correctional facility is also engaged in a conspiracy with an inmate, facilitating and participating in illegal activity, they will be detected and prosecuted.”
Gramajo is facing multiple charges, including official misconduct, conspiracy and tampering with public records.