November 30th, 2017 by WCBC Radio

Twenty-six people, including a correctional officer who is a high-ranking gang member, have been indicted after a nearly yearlong investigation into gang activity and corruption in Maryland’s prisons, state officials said Thursday. The charges include attempted first-degree murder and smuggling contraband into prison facilities. Sgt. Antoine Fordham, a correctional officer authorities described as a high-ranking member of the 8-Trey Crips street gang, was the initial target of the probe and among those indicted. The indictment alleges Fordham oversaw much of the gang’s drug dealing activity at a Baltimore intersection. Officials say Fordham and other members of the gang authorized or committed acts of violence to protect the gang’s turf and maintain discipline in the gang. The investigation grew to include additional gang members, including correctional officer Phillipe Jordan, and other co-conspirators who authorities said were running a large-scale, contraband-delivery operation in several Maryland correctional facilities, including Jessup Correctional Institution.