WILKES-BARRE — A corrections officer at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility has agreed to plead guilty to federal charges that he took money and other items from inmates in exchange for special treatment.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Wednesday that John Stachokus of Plains Township used his position as a corrections officer in the LCCF’s work release program to extort money and even cocaine from inmates. In exchange, they got special privileges and unauthorized furloughs. The feds allege this took place from November 2013 through February 2016.
Investigators also say that Stachokus tried to intimidate a government witness into giving false statements.
The Luzerne County manager says Stachokus is on unpaid administrative leave during an internal investigation.
