Inmate Gets Life In Telford Prison Contraband Scheme
Former Telford Unit inmate Tre Lee Jackson received two 60-year sentences and a life sentence in a prison contraband scheme that involved inmates and former prison staff.
NEW BOSTON, Texas–A former Telford inmate and known gang member was hit with a life sentence by a Bowie County jury last week for his role in a prison contraband ring that snared both convicts and correctional officers.
Tre Lee Jackson, 32, was among a number of inmates and Telford Unit prison staff indicted last year on charges of engaging in organized criminal activity in a scheme that brought drugs and cell phones into the confines of the New Boston-based lockup. Last week he received two 60-year sentences and a single life sentence at the end of a trial before 102nd District Judge Jeff Addison.
“Tre Jackson, a confirmed gang member, coordinated a criminal enterprise that operated exclusively to smuggle illegal substances and contraband into the Barry Telford Unit,” Bowie County District Attorney-elect Kelley Crisp told TXK Today on Friday. “The massive conspiracy shamefully included numerous correctional officers who occupied positions of trust.”
“Because the introduction of drugs and contraband can have significant safety repercussions, our hope is that the outcome of this case resonates with others who may plan to engage in similar criminal activity,” Crisp said.
Jackson was serving two 14-year terms he received in 2014 for aggravated assault and burglary in Gregg and Harrison Counties, prison records show. Jackson was also serving a two-year sentence for burglary from Rusk County at the time of his incarceration at the Telford Unit.
The investigation into the contraband conspiracy at Telford had been ongoing for more than a year when indictments for 19 defendants – nine former employees and ten inmates – were issued. Suspects in the conspiracy range from members of the Bloods criminal street gang to prison employees, according to court records.
Authorities reportedly got wind of the conspiracy after reviewing cell phone data acquired in connection with an unrelated drug bust in January 2024, according to court records. Prison staff who allegedly brought contraband including drugs and cell phones into the Telford Unit were reportedly paid by friends and family of inmates via CashApp.
“Tre Jackson’s conviction and sentence was the result of an extraordinary effort by state and local law enforcement agencies,” Crisp said. “An enormous amount of man hours went into this investigation and prosecution, and we owe much gratitude for the work of the participating agencies, including the Office of Inspector General, Texarkana, Texas Police Department, the Bowie County Sheriff’s Office, the Bowie County District Attorney’s Office, the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Miller County Sheriff’s Office, the Texarkana, Arkansas Police Department and the Arkansas State Police.”
Members of the alleged conspiracy have been charged with engaging in organized criminal activity and other crimes, including bribery.
Crisp represented the state. Jackson was represented by Texarkana lawyer Jeff Harrelson.