Ex-Phila. prison guard pleads guilty to smuggling

A former prison guard admitted Thursday he smuggled prescription pills and a cell phone to an inmate in his Philadelphia prison.

Dupree Myers, 27, pleaded guilty in federal court to attempted extortion which interfered with interstate commerce, and attempted distribution of controlled substances.

Myers was one of six guards within the Philadelphia Prison System to be charged with smuggling drugs or cell phones to inmates for money. Myers and four others have pleaded guilty. Another guard is awaiting trial.

Myers agreed to smuggle OxyContin pills and a phone to a prisoner in Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility, where he worked at the time, according to federal prosecutors. He met with the inmate's associate at a location in Philadelphia, where he received the pills, phone and his cash payment of $1,000. He then snuck the contraband into the prison.

He faces a maximum imprisonment of 40 years.

A sentencing hearing in front of U.S. District Court Judge Wendy Beetlestone is scheduled for June 23.

- Michaelle Bond