Georgia correctional officer trainee caught trying to smuggle meth into prison in his pants, officials say

A former Georgia correctional officer cadet has been sentenced to a decade in prison for attempting to smuggle multiple packages filled with methamphetamine into a jail.

Julius Deshawn Williams Jr., 29, pleaded guilty last year to one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

Prosecutors say that Williams was caught with four packages hidden in his pants that contained the drug at Dooley State Prison during the jail's required security check and shake-down on June 24, 2024.

When his vehicle was searched, officers say they found four more packages of methamphetamine and a pistol. In total, the packages contained 640 grams of methamphetamine with 100% purity, officials said.

Williams told investigators that he was trying to bring the drugs to an inmate at the prison.

The Bonaire man was going through training to become a correctional officer at Dooley State Prison at the time of his arrest.

"The penalties are steep when trusted members of the prison system smuggle contraband behind bars, as this exponentially increases the danger for everyone both inside and outside the prison walls," said U.S. Attorney William R. "Will" Keyes. "We are grateful to the dedicated correctional officers who protect the safety and security of our prisons each day, often under challenging circumstances. Their commitment and professionalism are essential to maintaining order and upholding justice."

A federal judge sentenced Williams to 120 months in prison to be followed by five years of supervised release. There is no parole in the federal prison system.