Attorney among four charged in scheme to smuggle contraband into federal prison

Providence, RI – A Massachusetts attorney, two detainees from the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility, and a Connecticut woman have been charged with involvement in a contraband smuggling operation, as disclosed in court documents unsealed today in federal court.

Theresa M. DiJoseph, 50, of Woburn, MA, faces charges of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, providing a prohibited object to an inmate, and making a false statement. Hanasa Stedford, 21, of Hamden, CT, along with detainees Shawn D. Hart, 46, and Samuel Douglas, 26, are charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance and providing a prohibited object to an inmate.

DiJoseph and Stedford were arrested earlier today and are scheduled for an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in Providence. Hart and Douglas, both currently detained at Wyatt, will appear in court at a later date. Hart is awaiting trial for drug and firearm offenses in Massachusetts, while Douglas awaits sentencing in Connecticut for racketeering conspiracy charges.

The scheme allegedly involved DiJoseph using her attorney credentials to meet Hart in a contact visiting room at Wyatt on July 9, 2023. Suspicious behavior during the visit prompted correctional officers to file an incident report. Further investigation revealed that DiJoseph had sent Hart personal photos and financial transaction screenshots via a Wyatt-issued tablet. She was temporarily banned from contact visits with Hart but was later allowed to resume.

On December 1, 2023, DiJoseph attempted to visit Hart again, during which officers seized 10 discolored sheets of paper suspected to be soaked in synthetic marijuana. Laboratory tests confirmed the presence of Schedule 1 controlled substances. It is alleged that Douglas coordinated with his girlfriend, Stedford, to provide DiJoseph with the contaminated papers.

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United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha announced the charges, underscoring the efforts to uphold security and integrity within the detention facility. The case continues to unfold as the accused await further legal proceedings.

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