Texas Inmate Gets Life In Telford Unit Contraband Scheme
NEW BOSTON, Texas–A Texas prison inmate who was involved in a sprawling conspiracy to bribe correctional officers and traffic contraband at the Telford Unit has been sentenced to life in prison for engaging in organized criminal activity.
Ronnie Criege Wilson, 33, aka “Bo,” was convicted last week of being part of conspiring to launder money gained from illegal transactions, bribe correctional officers and bring contraband into the Telford Unit in New Boston during a period beginning in 2020 through 2025.
A jury sentenced him to life on one count and 83 years and 66 years on two other counts, with all terms to run concurrently. The sentences will run consecutively to a sentence of 22 years Wilson began serving in 2014 for a series of aggravated robberies in Dallas County.
Bowie County District Attorney-elect Kelley Crisp told TXK Today on Monday, “The evidence at trial was that Ronnie Wilson and his co-conspirators, including corrections officers and inmates, conducted and coordinated a drug and contraband distribution network inside Telford state prison.”
“The Bowie County District Attorney’s Office, working with the Office of the Inspector General, is aggressively prosecuting these offenses, given the threat to our entire corrections system they represent,” Crisp said. “We appreciate this jury and the message their verdict sends: the corrections community at the Telford Unit is no less worthy of protection than any other community in our county, and that illegal drug distributors and traffickers should expect to face the maximum punishment under our laws.”
Wilson, a documented member of the Bloods street gang, was allegedly engaged in an inappropriate relationship with former Captain Jessica Ricks, according to court records.
“Wilson would give Jessica Ricks specific instructions as to what Ricks needed to do to further the interests of the criminal organization,” records show. “Captain Jessica Ricks would run interference on TDCJ disciplinary cases for Ronnie Wilson and others involved in the organization.”
Ricks is currently charged with engaging in organized criminal activity in a two-count indictment. She is scheduled for an October jury trial.
The conspiracy allegedly involved a number of inmates, private citizens and correctional officers. Among the contraband being smuggled into the prison was drugs, tobacco products, cell phones and cell phone accessories.
Wilson was represented by Deric McFarland. Crisp represented the state.
Judge Jeff Addison presided over the trial.