ECI officer pleads guilty to racketeering conspiracy
Officials say that an Eastern Correctional Institution correctional officer has pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy.
According to the Department of Justice, 32-year-old Thomas Leibach of Pocomoke City, pleaded guilty on Thursday to his participation in a racketeering conspiracy going on at the Eastern Correctional Institution.
The guilty plea was announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Gordon B. Johnson of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Baltimore Field Office; Postal Inspector in Charge Robert B. Wemyss of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service – Washington Division; Secretary Stephen T. Moyer of the Maryland Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services; and Colonel William M. Pallozzi, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police.
According to Weimbach's plea agreement and court documents, ECI is the largest state prison in Maryland near Westover, in Somerset County.
Leimbach admitted that he accepted bribes from inmates to smuggle contraband into ECI, including narcotics, cell phones and tobacco. Leimbach worked with other COs to smuggle contraband into the prison.
On June 5, 2014, law enforcement intercepted a call from an inmate to his sister, where they discuss whether their mother "took care of that today." That same day, Leimbach was arrested after the inmate's mother delivered contraband to Leimbach. Leimbach was searched and had in his possession 75 Suboxone strips and $375 in cash.
Leimbach faces up to 20 years in prison for the racketeering conspiracy. U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar has set sentencing for Leimbach on June 29 at 10 am.
The U.S. Attorney expressed appreciation to Secretary Moyer whose staff began the ECI investigation and who has made the full resources of the DPSCS available to assist the three-year investigation. U.S. Attorney Rosenstein also recognized the efforts of the Maryland Prison Task Force which has brought together federal, state and local agencies in meetings to generate reforms in prison procedures and facilitate joint investigations of prison corruption and prison gangs.
Mr. Rosenstein thanked the members of the Maryland Prison Task Force and the other agencies who assisted in this investigation and prosecution.
United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein commended the FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services, the Baltimore Police Department and Maryland State Police for their work in the investigation. Mr. Rosenstein thanked Assistant U.S. Attorneys Leo J. Wise, Robert R. Harding, and Daniel C. Gardner, who are prosecuting this Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force case.
