Talia Hicks, a 33-year-old resident of Philadelphia, was sentenced to three years’ probation and one month of home confinement for her role in a conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. United States District Judge Kelley Brisbon Hodge also ordered the forfeiture of approximately $2,900. The announcement was made by United States Attorney David Metcalf.
Hicks pleaded guilty in March after being charged with conspiring to smuggle Suboxone into the Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility (CFCF) between December 2019 and November 2020. At the time, she was employed by the Transportation Security Administration at Philadelphia International Airport.
According to court documents and statements admitted by Hicks, she worked with others to bring Suboxone into CFCF. Investigators reviewed video tablet calls—recorded communications available to inmates—which revealed discussions about inmates sending payments via CashApp and Apple Pay to both Hicks and a co-conspirator. Financial records from CashApp and Green Dot showed that Hicks sent and received payments on behalf of the co-conspirator related to the smuggling operation. She either facilitated payment for Suboxone or provided the drugs for smuggling into CFCF on several occasions.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation led the investigation, while Assistant United States Attorney Jason Grenell prosecuted the case.
