Charlotte County, FL - A correctional officer has been charged after he was caught selling food and cigarettes to an inmate at the Charlotte Correctional Institution.
According to authorities, Correctional Officer Sergeant Matthew Christopher Ross has been charged with one county of conspiracy to introduce contraband in violation of Florida State statue and seven counts of unlawful compensation.
Investigators say Ross was an employee at the Charlotte Correctional Institution between June and September of 2020.
Inmate Nathan Carswell testified that Ross provided him with food and cigarettes in return for monetary compensation.
The transactions were made through Venmo, a mobile payment service.
Venmo records show Carswell transferred money to Ross seven times for a total of $835.
The memos for the transactions included notations for food, hygiene products and fantasy football.
An arrest warrant has been issued for Ross.