Christine Mary Livingston, a former captain at the South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC), has admitted guilt in a bribery conspiracy involving $279,000. The 47-year-old from Gaston was charged with honest services wire fraud conspiracy for accepting bribes while serving at Broad River Correctional Institute (BRCI).
Livingston, who served as a captain from 2016 to 2021, managed security operations and enforced contraband policies at BRCI. However, between July 2018 and November 2021, she accepted bribes from over 45 prisoners and three family members to smuggle contraband into the facility and neglect enforcement duties. Utilizing at least 14 peer-to-peer payment accounts under false names but linked to her bank accounts, she collected significant bribes through platforms like Cash App.
Court documents revealed that one Cash App account alone received $279,000 in bribes, with more than $225,000 transferred to her personal accounts. The funds were used for personal expenditures including shopping and cryptocurrency purchases.
The investigation found that Livingston purchased at least 173 cell phones via Amazon during this period along with numerous SIM cards and phone accessories. Evidence against her included testimonies from witnesses such as prisoners' family members and records obtained from Facebook and confiscated contraband phones.
“Livingston used her position and rank for personal, criminal gain which endangered other staff members and those housed at Broad River Correctional Institute,” stated U.S. Attorney Adair Ford Boroughs for the District of South Carolina. “We will continue to work with SCDC to prosecute those who commit crimes within prison walls.”
“This is one more example of how illegal cellphones ruin lives, including those of correctional officers who get involved in the contraband trade,” commented SCDC Director Bryan Stirling. “We appreciate the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s office investigating and prosecuting this case and holding these criminals accountable for their actions.”
Jerell Reaves, a co-defendant prisoner involved in providing over $42,000 in bribes to Livingston, was sentenced to five years imprisonment followed by three years of supervised release by United States District Judge Sherri A. Lydon.
Livingston faces up to two decades in federal prison; however, as part of her plea deal, the government will recommend up to eight years' imprisonment followed by court-ordered supervision. She also faces $250,000 in monetary penalties alongside forfeiture of assets equivalent to the full value of the bribes received.
Her sentencing is set for June 30 before Judge Sherri A. Lydon.
The case was jointly investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office alongside SCDC's Office of Inspector General with prosecution led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Elliott B. Daniels and Michael Shedd.