A former employee of the Shelby County Division of Corrections pleaded guilty Monday to taking a bribe in exchange for providing contraband to an inmate, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee announced Thursday, Nov. 20.

Deon Scott, 41, was working as an internal-affairs investigator for the corrections division’s Office of Professional Standards when he made the deal, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. It’s unclear what contraband Scott helped provide. He was immediately fired after being charged, the office said. 

“Official misconduct and corruption by correctional officers in positions of trust and authority undermine the foundational integrity of our government institutions and compromise the safety and security of correctional facilities. We must root out, expose, and hold accountable those officials who violate the public trust by corrupt acts of bribery, and this guilty plea does just that,” Michael Dunavant, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Tennessee, said in the release.

Sheriff’s Office demands apology for sexual assault lawsuit

Scott was charged Sept. 5.

He is set to be sentenced Feb. 19, 2026. He faces up to 15 years in federal prison.

Scott is one of a few local corrections officers to be charged with work-related crimes in the past year.

Lillie Pittman and Joshua Williams were charged in November 2024 for their role in a drug-smuggling operation at the Shelby County Jail, also known as 201 Poplar.

Bianca Grandberry, who also worked for the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office at the jail, was charged in January with having an inappropriate relationship with an inmate.