Mississippi Woman and Federal Inmate Sentenced for Drug Smuggling Scheme at the United States Penitentiary in Pollock

ALEXANDRIA - On October 23, 2026, United States District Judge Jerry Edwards, Jr. sentenced Justin Shaw, 40, to 51 months in federal prison for Possessing Contraband in Prison. He previously pled guilty to the charge on June 24, 2026.

On the same day, Judge Edwards sentenced Whitney Shaw, 42, of Coldwater, Mississippi, to 50 months in federal prison for Providing Contraband in Prison, followed by two years of supervised release. She previously pled guilty to the charge on June 23, 2026.

"Smuggling drugs into prisons endangers guards, inmates, and other personnel, and our Office stands ready to prosecute anyone, including inmates' family members, who perpetrate this reckless, dangerous crime," said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller. "These sentences reflect the serious consequences for family members and inmates alike who choose this dangerous path, and our Office will continue working with our federal and state partners to investigate this dangerous criminal activity and hold its perpetrators to account."

According to court documents, on January 20, 2025, Justin Shaw, an inmate at the United States Penitentiary in Pollock (USP-Pollock) was visited by Whitney Shaw. Surveillance footage captured Whitney removing an object from her pants and handing it to Justin. After examination, the object was determined to be 33.4 grams of delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol wax, a prohibited substance inside USP-Pollock. Staff immediately removed Justin from the visitation area, and the substance was confiscated. Justin admitted to knowingly obtaining and attempting to obtain contraband from Whitney.

A further search of Whitney Shaw revealed additional contraband concealed in her clothing, including 17.3 grams of synthetic cannabinoid paper, 73.634 grams of delta 9 tetrahydrocannabinol, and 8.554 grams of methamphetamine. All items were confirmed by laboratory testing. Whitney admitted that she knowingly provided and attempted to provide prohibited objects to Justin.

U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana made the announcement.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and correctional staff at USP-Pollock investigated this case. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Cheyenne Y. Wilson with assistance from Legal Assistant Amanda Morgan.

You may find a copy of this press release (and any updates) on the website of the United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Louisiana at www.justice.gov/usao-wdla.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Western District of Louisiana at www.lawd.uscourts.gov or at https://www.lawd.uscourts.gov/cmecf-pacer, under Case Numbers 1:25-cr-00205-01 (Justin Shaw) and 1:25-cr-00205-02 (Whitney Shaw).

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