FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CRM MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 1996 (202) 514-2007 TDD (202) 514-1888 OHIO PRISON INMATE RACKETEERING AND WEAPONS CHARGES UNSEALED IN CLEVELAND, OHIO CLEVELAND, OHIO -- The Department of Justice announced the unsealing today of racketeering and firearms charges against Ohio state prison inmate James D. Crow, in federal court in Cleveland, Ohio. In a previously sealed proceeding, Crow pled guilty to the charges on July 3, 1996 before U.S. District Judge Kathleen O'Malley. The racketeering charge involves corruption, bank fraud, and drug distribution schemes that Crow carried out while incarcerated in the state's Mansfield Correctional Institution (MANCI) in Mansfield, Ohio. Crow's schemes included providing gratuities to the prison's Chief of Security, William T. Mack, and another prison guard, Robert Snow, in exchange for preferential treatment. The preferential treatment included unauthorized conjugal visits, Mack's advocacy for Crow's early release from prison, and the importation of drugs into the prison. As part of the racketeering activity, Crow also devised a bank fraud scheme through which he obtained a $100,000 loan to purchase rental properties in Mansfield, Ohio. Former Chief of Security Mack was indicted on August 6, 1996 on charges stemming from his relationship from Crow. The guard, Robert Snow pled guilty to corruption and drug distribution charges in June 1996. Crow also pled guilty to aiding and abetting the possession of firearms with their serial numbers obliterated. From inside the prison, Crow arranged for residents of Mansfield to obtain two firearms and remove the two serial numbers. As part of a scheme to obtain his early release from prison, Crow arranged to have one of the weapons delivered to the home of an Ohio State Representative, making it appear that Crow had obtained the weapon himself inside the prison and mailed it directly to the Representative. The state Representative is not a target of the investigation, Crow, 32, faces up to 25 years in prison and a fine of $500,000 for these convictions. These convictions stem from an ongoing investigation into corruption and other misconduct at the Mansfield Correctional Institution. The investigation is being conducted jointly by the FBI, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. The case is being prosecuted by the Public Integrity Section of Criminal Division of the Department of Justice. # # # # 96-389