MIAMI, Florida ( MyFloridaNews ) — Vernell Syrethia Lawson, a 33-year-old former Miami-Dade Correctional Officer, and Gabrielle Nicole Bess-Mills, 35, appeared in court on Dec. 18 following an indictment related to a criminal enterprise led by Terrance Carter, 31.
The indictment alleges that Carter led a drug trafficking organization that involved Lawson and other correctional officers to introduce narcotics into Miami-Dade County jail facilities.
Lawson and Bess-Mills face charges of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, conspiracy to distribute, and racketeering through bribery and drug trafficking, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida. Lawson is also charged with Hobbs Act extortion. Carter is charged with operating the criminal enterprise and using interstate facilities for violence in furtherance of racketeering.
The investigation was conducted by a task force formed by the Miami-Dade Police and Corrections Departments, with support from federal, state, and local partners, to combat drug trafficking in correctional facilities. Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Ignacio J. Vázquez, Jr. and Trial Attorney Melanie G. Wegner are prosecuting the case, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Annika Miranda handling asset forfeiture.