Federal Correctional Officer Indicted For Receipt Of A Bribe By A Public Official

Ocala, Florida - United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announces the return of an indictment charging Karen Torres (50, St. Cloud) with one count of receipt of a bribe by a public official. If convicted, Torres faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. The indictment also specifies that the United States will seek an order of forfeiture for $43,550-an amount representing the proceeds of the criminal offense.

According to the indictment, Torres was a public official employed by the United States Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons, as a correctional officer. She worked at the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex (FCC Coleman) in Sumter County. Between May 2022 and March 3, 2025, Torres received monetary payments in return for being influenced to smuggle contraband into the prison.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case is being investigated by the United States Department of Justice - Office of the Inspector General and the Drug Enforcement Administration. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk Watson.