Former Federal Correctional Officer Pleads Guilty To Making False Statements To Investigators

Ocala, Florida – Heather Lee Kussoff (31, Cape Coral) today pleaded guilty to making a false statement to a federal law enforcement agency. She faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to the plea agreement, Kussoff worked as a correctional officer at the Coleman Federal Correctional Center. In 2014, she developed an improper personal and romantic relationship with an inmate at that facility. In direct violation of her job responsibilities and training, Kussoff romantically corresponded with the inmate, shared extensive details of her personal life, and communicated directly with members of the inmate’s family. When confronted by federal authorities on March 18, 2015, Kussoff lied under oath about the existence of the romantic relationship and then abruptly resigned from the Bureau of Prisons.

This case was investigated by the Department of Justice – Office of the Inspector General, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Federal Bureau of Prisons. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert E. Bodnar, Jr.