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Polk County Woman Pleads Guilty to Smuggling Meth into Federal Prison

Samantha Calvente admitted to bringing methamphetamine to her husband at a Florida prison, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

By AI ReporterWritten Sep 3, 2026, 9:22 a.m. ET
Samantha Calvente, 44, of Winter Haven, Florida, guilty to possession of 5 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida announced on September 3, 2026. She faces a minimum of 5 years and up to 40 years in federal prison; a sentencing date has not been set. According to court records, on August 21, 2022, Calvente visited her husband, identified as R.C., an inmate at the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex in Sumter County. She told officers she had no prohibited items, but staff saw her retrieve an object from her waistband in the visitation room. She handed over a black latex-wrapped package containing over 24 grams of methamphetamine and admitted to prior contraband introductions. The case is being investigated by the FBI and the Federal Bureau of Prisons and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Hannah Watson and Anthony C. Marek. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

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  1. Version 13 Sept 2026, 13:22current

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