OCALA, Fla. – United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announced today that a federal grand jury has indicted Cornelius Alexander Thompson, 38, of Ocala, on charges of sexual abuse of a ward in federal custody and receipt of a bribe by a public official. If convicted on both counts, Thompson faces up to 30 years in federal prison.
The indictment also seeks a forfeiture order of $24,550, representing proceeds from the alleged bribery offense.
According to court documents, Thompson worked as a correctional officer with the U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons, at the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex (FCC Coleman). Between January 2020 and August 9, 2023, prosecutors allege Thompson engaged in a sexual act with a federal inmate under his custodial and supervisory authority.
In addition, from January 2020 through April 29, 2024, Thompson is accused of accepting money in exchange for smuggling contraband into FCC Coleman. Prosecutors said these payments influenced Thompson’s actions as a federal employee.
Authorities stressed that an indictment is only a formal charge and that Thompson is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
The case is being investigated by the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. Assistant U.S. Attorney Hannah Nowalk Watson is prosecuting the case.
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