Rhode Island Attorney Sentenced for Role in Federal Detention Center Smuggling Scheme

A Rhode Island attorney has been sentenced for her involvement in a conspiracy to smuggle contraband into a federal detention center in Cranston, raising serious concerns about professional misconduct and breaches of institutional security.

U.S. District Court Chief Judge John J. McConnell, Jr. sentenced 52-year-old attorney Donna M. Nesselbush to one year and one day in federal prison for conspiring to provide inmates with prohibited items, including tobacco products and cellphones. According to prosecutors, Nesselbush coordinated with an inmate at the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Facility to smuggle these items during legal visits and via intermediaries, violating both federal regulations and ethical obligations as an officer of the court.

Investigators uncovered that Nesselbush, who previously served as a state senator and was a practicing attorney, used her access to the detention center under the guise of legal counsel to bypass typical screening procedures. Prosecutors argued that her actions undermined the justice system, noting the trust afforded to attorneys is critical to maintaining order and fairness in legal proceedings and detention environments.

During sentencing, Judge McConnell emphasized the severity of the breach and the broader impact such misconduct has on the legal profession and public confidence. While Nesselbush’s defense cited her past public service and clean disciplinary record, the court maintained that her actions warranted incarceration.

Following her prison term, Nesselbush will also serve three years of supervised release. The Rhode Island Bar Association has not yet publicly commented on the implications for her license to practice law.

This case underscores heightened scrutiny on professional conduct within correctional facilities and reinforces the federal government’s commitment to safeguarding institutional integrity.

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