WOODBOURNE — A Sullivan County grand jury has returned five indictments charging a former Woodbourne Correctional Facility officer, a civilian and several inmates in what prosecutors described as a coordinated conspiracy to smuggle methamphetamine and cell phones into the prison in exchange for money, according to Sullivan County District Attorney Brian Conaty.

During a press conference at the Sullivan County District Attorney’s Office Friday afternoon, Conaty announced that an investigation led to indictments against eight individuals, including former correction officer Kyle Raven, who prosecutors allege abused his position of public trust by introducing contraband into the prison on multiple occasions between March 16, 2025 to June 25, 2025.

Conaty explained that Raven is charged with Bribe Receiving in the Second Degree, Promoting Prison Contraband in the First Degree, Receiving Reward for Official Misconduct in the Second Degree, Official Misconduct and several other felony offenses. 

Inmate Andrew Stoughtenger, his wife, Amy Preston, also known as Amy Stoughtenger, and inmate Dylan Coats were each charged with multiple felony counts, including bribery, conspiracy and money laundering. Separate indictments charge inmates Leo Lazaro, Redell Hurd, Kenneth Thompson and Derek Gallo with promoting prison contraband.

According to Conaty, Preston allegedly used her company, Freedom Foods, a vendor serving Department of Corrections facilities, to conceal payments made in exchange for contraband smuggled into the prison. Investigators allege Raven received more than $17,000 through cash payments and Cash App transactions in exchange for participating in the scheme.

Conducted jointly by the Sullivan County District Attorney’s Office, the New York State Police and the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision’s Office of Special Investigations, the investigation began after correction officers recovered multiple cell phones from inmates, uncovering records that investigators said connected those charged in the conspiracy.

“This investigation further uncovered evidence that the defendant ... participated in a scheme designed to circumvent prison security measures and profit from the introduction of contraband into the facility,” stated Conaty.

He stressed the dangers posed by unauthorized cell phones and narcotics inside correctional facilities, explaining that cell phones can be used to bypass prison monitoring systems, continue criminal activity from behind prison walls and facilitate escape plans.

“When an officer chooses to betray that oath by bringing in illegal drugs and contraband behind prison walls for personal profit, the consequences extend far beyond the individual transaction,” Conaty stressed. “Such conduct fuels violence, addiction, intimidation and disorder within our correctional institutions.”

New York State Police Troop F Bureau of Criminal Investigation Captain Brad Natalizio said investigators found what initially appeared to be isolated incidents had grown into a larger criminal enterprise operating both inside and outside the correctional facility.

“This was a complex and dynamic investigation that required dismantling an organized conspiracy operating both within and outside the secure correctional facility,” Natalizio said. “No individual is above the law, regardless of their position or their authority.”

Reading a statement on behalf of DOCCS Commissioner Daniel F. Martuscello III, Sullivan County Assistant District Attorney James McGlashin said contraband “threatens the safety of our staff, incarcerated population and the public,” adding that the former correction officer “violated his oath and placed his colleagues, the incarcerated population and the broader community at risk.”

During the question-and-answer session, Conaty was asked whether the alleged smuggling operation was connected to a series of inmate hospitalizations and overdoses at Woodbourne last year. While he said the indictment does not allege such a connection, Conaty acknowledged hearing reports of fentanyl exposure affecting correction officers around that time.

The defendants pleaded not guilty at their arraignments or, in the case of those already incarcerated, entered not guilty pleas while remaining in state custody. Conaty reminded the public that indictments are accusatory instruments and that all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.