NJ Corrections Officer Paid Thousands to Smuggle Drugs, Phones into Jail

Mays Landing, N.J. — An Atlantic County corrections officer is headed to prison for smuggling contraband into the jail where he worked.

On Monday, 35-year-old Christopher Piccioni of Swedesboro was sentenced to five years behind bars after pleading guilty to a charge of second-degree conspiracy to commit official misconduct.

The Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office says from October 2023 through March 2024, while employed as a corrections officer, Piccioni smuggled multiple packages containing nicotine, narcotics, and cell phones into the jail for inmate Dion Robinson.

Piccioni was provided with the packages by Robinson's girlfriend, Qydreia Smith, who paid Piccioni several thousand dollars per package.

All three people were charged in connection with this conspiracy.

Piccioni pleaded guilty back in December while Smith and Robinson also entered guilty pleas to second-degree conspiracy and are pending sentencing.

Atlantic County Prosecutor William Reynolds said in a statement, "The rule of law applies equally to everyone - without fear, without favor, and without exception. Public officials who abuse their office for personal gain will be held to the same standard of justice as every citizen."

The case was investigated by the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office's Professional Standards Unit and the Atlantic County Justice Facility. Chief Assistant Prosecutor Kathleen Robinson represented the State in this matter.

Chris Coleman is a South Jersey native and has been a cornerstone of the Atlantic City radio market since 1998. He serves as Brand Manager for WPG Talk Radio 95.5 and afternoon on-air personality for Cat Country 107.3. A five-time President's Circle award winner and Townsquare Media's 2024 Content Creator of the Year, Chris covers news, events, and stories of interest across Southern New Jersey. Story tips: chris.coleman@townsquaremedia.com