Former Oregon Federal Correctional Officer Sentenced for Smuggling

Portland, Oregon– Former federal correctional officer Nickolas Carlos Herrera, 34, of McMinnville, Oregon, has been sentenced to 15 months in federal prison and three years’ supervised release for his involvement in a conspiracy to smuggle contraband into a federal prison in exchange for monetary gain.

The sentencing, handed down today, marks the culmination of a prolonged investigation and legal proceedings spearheaded by law enforcement agencies including the FBI Portland Field Office and the Department of Justice Office of Inspector General. Aubree M. Schwartz, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Portland Field Office, emphasized the gravity of Herrera’s actions, stating, “Corruption by any public official or law enforcement officer is unacceptable.”

According to court documents, Herrera, employed as a correctional officer at the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) in Sheridan, Oregon, exploited his position from April 2015 until his placement on administrative leave in December 2019 to introduce contraband into the facility for the benefit of select inmates, notably including Donte Hunt, 40, of Portland. Hunt, who was in custody pending trial on federal drug, gun, and money laundering charges, collaborated with Herrera in the illicit scheme.

Herrera’s involvement extended to the procurement and delivery of contraband items, ranging from food and clothing to marijuana, Suboxone, designer sneakers, and a cell phone, all of which were provided to Hunt. Elizabeth McIntosh, 34, an associate of Hunt’s, facilitated the provision of contraband to Herrera, who accepted payment from her on Hunt’s behalf.

Zachary Shroyer, Special Agent in Charge of the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General Western Region, underscored the severe consequences of Herrera’s actions, stating, “Today’s sentencing shows that correctional officers who accept bribes and bring contraband into federal prisons will be held accountable for their crimes.”

The legal proceedings against Herrera, Hunt, and McIntosh unfolded over a series of indictments and guilty pleas, with Herrera pleading guilty to conspiracy, providing contraband in prison, and accepting a bribe as a public official on May 19, 2022.

Hunt pleaded guilty to conspiracy and bribing a public official on December 18, 2023, and McIntosh pleaded guilty to misprision of felony on November 29, 2023.

The case, which received assistance from the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Portland Police Bureau, and IRS-Criminal Investigation, was prosecuted by Ethan Knight and Katherine Rykken, Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the District of Oregon.