A state grand jury indicted New Jersey Department of Corrections Officer Christopher Santana, 33, of Hackensack, on May 26 for allegedly accepting payments to smuggle contraband into Northern State Prison in Newark between May 2024 and June 2025.
Attorney General Jennifer Davenport announced that Santana is accused of taking monetary bribes from individuals acting on behalf of inmates in exchange for bringing prohibited items into the facility. Davenport said, “As alleged in this indictment, the defendant betrayed his obligations to keep Northern State Prison secure and to prevent contraband from entering the secure facility. My office is committed to seeking justice and accountability whenever any member of law enforcement exploits their position to illegally enrich themselves, at the expense of the people and the institutions they were meant to serve.”
New Jersey Department of Corrections Commissioner Victoria L. Kuhn said, “The New Jersey Department of Corrections is committed to safe and secure facility operations and the highest standards of professionalism and accountability. Employees who allegedly abuse their positions and compromise facility security through contraband smuggling or any other criminal conduct will be investigated by the Special Investigations Division and held accountable.”
According to publicly filed documents in this case, law enforcement observed a large bulge protruding from Santana’s chest area when he arrived for work on June 10, 2025. A search revealed two vacuum-sealed bags containing tobacco and three bottles with an unknown liquid concealed under his protective vest as well as near his upper thigh area. Further investigation indicated that Santana had allegedly been receiving illicit compensation from associates of inmates since May 2024.
Santana faces four second-degree charges: conspiracy; bribery in official and political matters; acceptance or receipt of an unlawful benefit by a public servant for official behavior; and official misconduct. Each second-degree charge carries a potential sentence of five to ten years in state prison and a fine up to $150,000.
The charges are accusations only; Santana is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Deputy Attorney General Samantha Eaton is prosecuting the case for the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability Corruption Bureau. Defense counsel is Anthony Pope, Esq., Newark.
