By Cleo Westin
The Gazette (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
FLORENCE, Colo. — An investigator at the federal prison in Florence is accused of taking cash and alcohol in exchange for giving hundreds of contraband items to an inmate, according to a grand jury indictment obtained by The Gazette.
Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Services Lt. Michael Popma was arrested by Department of Justice special agents in Cañon City on June 4 and is charged in federal court with conspiracy, bribery, providing contraband in prison and unlawful interception.
The indictment shows Popma’s primary responsibility as an investigator was to have oversight of “investigation, mitigation and elimination of illicit” activities in the prison.
From September to December 2024, Popma allegedly received payment from an inmate’s family member after providing “logistical assistance” to get the contraband to the inmate, according to charging documents. Across five alleged instances, he helped provide 123 cellphones, 415 nicotine vaporizers and 274 bottles of alcohol while receiving $15,500 and “approximately” six bottles of alcohol, prosecutors say.
If convicted on all counts, Popma could face up to 30 years in prison and thousands of dollars in fines.
In a statement to The Gazette, the BOP said it does not discuss pending legal proceedings.
His employment history provided by the BOP shows he has been employed in Florence since 2014 and was promoted to lieutenant in 2021.
Popma pleaded not guilty in the case and was issued a $20,000 bond before being released on June 9. Both orders followed filings submitted a day prior with letters from Popma’s family asking the judge to order his release, according to court documents.
One of those letters indicated Popma is a military veteran with over 10 years of service.
A final trial preparation conference is set to take place in the federal courthouse in Denver on Aug. 3.
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