A correctional officer at Turbeville Correctional Institution has been charged with an ethics violation and misconduct in office after allegedly accepting a bribe and communicating with an inmate using an illegal cellphone, according to the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC).
Shontell Patrice Gamble, 31, of Manning, was arrested following an investigation by the SCDC Inspector General’s office. Authorities allege that Gamble accepted money from an inmate in exchange for undisclosed favors while working at the prison. She was fired from her position.
The SCDC released the arrest warrants Friday and reminded the public that, following an arrest, the burden of proof lies with the state to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Gamble faces charges of accepting a bribe, an ethics violation under South Carolina law, and misconduct in office. Additional details regarding the financial transactions and communications between Gamble and the inmate were not immediately available.
No court date has been announced.
