Former FCI Bastrop officer pleads guilty to bribery scheme

A former correctional officer at the Federal Correctional Institution in Bastrop pleaded guilty on January 13, 2026, to one count of bribery after federal prosecutors say he admitted bringing prohibited items into the prison and accepting cash and electronic transfers in exchange.

Court documents show Waldemar Perez smuggled contraband such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes into the facility and provided them to inmates. Investigators allege the conduct occurred over roughly two years and that Perez accepted tens of thousands of dollars in payments. One specific transaction cited in court filings was a $300 electronic transfer on May 3, 2023. The case was investigated by the FBI and the Department of Justice Office of Inspector General, and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alan Buie.

Perez faces statutory penalties of up to 15 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Sentencing will be determined by the court after consideration of the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines. The guilty plea moves the matter into a sentencing phase in federal court, where additional facts and any agreed recommendations will be considered.

For Val Verde County residents, the case is a reminder that misconduct inside federal institutions can ripple into local communities. Families with loved ones in federal custody depend on correctional staff to maintain order and safety; contraband flows can fuel debt and violence inside facilities and complicate rehabilitation efforts. In border communities such as Val Verde County, where residents are already attentive to issues of smuggling and illicit trade, the case reinforces concerns about how prohibited items enter controlled environments and how those channels are monetized.

The involvement of both the FBI and the Department of Justice’s Office of Inspector General signals how seriously federal authorities treat alleged corruption by staff. Prosecutorial attention also reflects broader efforts to ensure accountability inside the federal prison system and to protect institutional integrity for inmates and staff alike.

What comes next for local readers is a federal court sentencing date and possible administrative or policy responses within the Bureau of Prisons. Residents with family in federal custody should remain aware of institutional notices from the Bureau of Prisons and may expect increased scrutiny or procedural changes at facilities handling federal inmates. The outcome of the sentencing will determine the penalties imposed and may influence oversight measures moving forward.