Two former Department of Correctional Services (DCS) officers have been found guilty of obtaining money under false pretense, conspiracy to defraud and multiple breaches of the Correctional Service Act.

The guilty verdict against Albert McLeod and Torraine Tulloch was handed down in the Kingston and St. Andrew Parish Court last Thursday.

They are to be sentenced on January 14, next year.

The men were charged in relation to what the Major Organized Crime and Anti-Corruption Agency (MOCA) described as an elaborate fraudulent scheme orchestrated in 2016.

MOCA said it involved McLeod, Tulloch and an inmate at the Tower Street Adult Correctional facility, Andrew Bryce.

According to MOCA, Pryce, posing as a legitimate recruiter, preyed on aspiring artistes with promises of lucrative employment opportunities, work permits, and visas.

These individuals were reportedly deceived into making substantial payments to Pryce, McLeod and Tulloch.

MOCA says its investigation revealed that Pryce recruited McLeod and Tulloch to facilitate his operations.

They reportedly acted as intermediaries, collecting funds from couriers who received the payments from unsuspecting victims.

Following reports of the scheme, MOCA says it launched a comprehensive investigation, including a two-day sting operation, which led to the arrest of Pryce, Tulloch and two couriers.

McLeod was apprehended after being positively identified in an identification parade.

While Pryce pleaded guilty in 2017 and received a concurrent sentence of one year and 6 months per count, McLeod and Tulloch proceeded to trial.

MOCA’s Director of Communications, Major Basil Jarrett said Chief Parish Court Judge Chester Crooks, in handing down the verdict noted the significant breach of trust involved in the case.

He also noted the grave implications for public institutions when those entrusted with authority act dishonestly.

McLeod and Tulloch’s bails have been extended until their sentencing date next year.