A Massachusetts attorney has admitted to participating in a conspiracy to smuggle contraband into a federal detention center. Theresa Marie DiJoseph, 51, pleaded guilty before a federal judge in Rhode Island to charges including possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance analogue, conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance, and providing a prohibited object to an inmate. Her sentencing is scheduled for June 12, 2025.
Acting United States Attorney Sara Miron Bloom announced the plea. DiJoseph acknowledged that she conspired with three others in late 2023 to smuggle ten papers soaked with K2, a synthetic marijuana, into the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Center.
Court documents revealed that DiJoseph used her position as an attorney to meet multiple times with detainee Shawn D. Hart, 47, with whom she had a personal relationship. These meetings took place in a visiting room designated for legal work.
On December 1, 2023, correctional officers at Wyatt seized ten sheets of paper from DiJoseph during an attempted visit with Hart. The papers appeared discolored and thicker than usual and were confirmed by FBI testing labs to contain Schedule I controlled substances.
DiJoseph also admitted in court that she made false statements to the FBI during their investigation regarding the source of the contraband.
The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Julianne Klein and Peter I. Roklan. The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Center Professional Standards Unit.