Prosecutors say Hamilton man accepted payments to smuggle drugs, tobacco into county facility

A Mercer County corrections officer has pleaded guilty to accepting bribes in exchange for smuggling contraband into the county jail, state officials announced.

Tyree Hobbs, 42, of Hamilton, pleaded guilty May 1 to third-degree conspiracy to commit bribery before Superior Court Judge Peter Warshaw in Mercer County.

The plea stems from an investigation by the New Jersey Office of Public Integrity and Accountability, which found Hobbs accepted bribes from inmates over several years while working at the Mercer County Correctional Center in Hopewell Township.

Under a plea agreement, prosecutors will recommend a sentence of probation conditioned on Hobbs serving 364 days in the county jail. He also must forfeit his public employment and will be permanently barred from holding any government position in New Jersey. Sentencing is scheduled for July 17.

According to authorities, Hobbs began accepting bribes as early as late 2017, about 10 months after joining the Mercer County Department of Corrections. The conduct continued through July 2022, when he was suspended without pay.

Investigators said Hobbs accepted payments in exchange for bringing contraband — including illicit narcotics and tobacco — into the jail. In some instances, he received sealed packages from inmate associates outside the facility and then smuggled them inside, hiding the items in locations accessible to specific inmates.

State regulations and county policies strictly prohibit corrections officers from introducing contraband, engaging in personal relationships with inmates, or exchanging goods or favors.

Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said the case highlights the risks posed when public employees abuse their authority.

“Corrections officers have challenging jobs that are integral to public safety, and the vast majority of them fulfill their roles with integrity,” Davenport said in a statement. “But in this case, the defendant admitted to exploiting his access to a correctional facility for personal gain.”

The case was prosecuted by deputy attorneys general in OPIA’s Corruption Bureau.

Hobbs remains free pending sentencing.