Two former employees of the Federal Medical Center Lexington, a federal prison operated by the Bureau of Prisons, were sentenced last week for unrelated offenses involving bribery and illegal gratuities.
A. Jade Howard, 36, from Port Charlotte, Florida, received a sentence of 12 months and one day in prison from U.S. District Judge Karen Caldwell after pleading guilty to bribery. According to court documents, Howard worked as both a correctional officer and materials handler at FMC Lexington between 2021 and October 2024. During this period, she was aware that inmates were not permitted to possess contraband such as cigarettes or other banned substances and that it was her responsibility to report any violations. Despite this obligation, Howard agreed to smuggle cigarettes into the facility after being approached by an inmate offering money in exchange. She later brought what she believed was synthetic marijuana—later identified through laboratory testing as 5F-ADB, a Schedule I controlled substance—into the prison. Between December 2023 and December 2024, Howard received $18,602 via mobile banking applications for these actions.
Ariel Zulewski, 29, of Georgetown, Kentucky, was sentenced to 12 months in prison by Judge Caldwell on charges of abusive sexual contact and receipt of an illegal gratuity. Court records state that Zulewski worked as a recreational specialist at FMC Lexington from December 1, 2023 through February 29, 2024. During her employment there she engaged in sexual contact with an inmate despite knowing that such conduct is strictly prohibited between staff and inmates at federal facilities. Zulewski also provided contraband items including tobacco and vapes to the inmate and was aware he possessed a cell phone against regulations. On two occasions—December 9, 2023 and January 17, 2024—she accepted CashApp payments totaling $500 for providing contraband items and concealing their possession.
Both individuals are required under federal law to serve at least eighty-five percent of their sentences before becoming eligible for release. After completing their terms of imprisonment they will each be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for one year.
Paul McCaffrey, First Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Kentucky; William J. Hannah with the Department of Justice’s Office of Inspector General (Chicago Field Office); and Olivia Olson with the FBI’s Louisville Field Office announced these sentencings jointly.
The investigation into Howard’s actions involved both DOJ-OIG and FBI agents while Zulewski’s case was investigated solely by DOJ-OIG personnel. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Emily Greenfield.
