Massachusetts Attorney Charged in Cannabis Smuggling Scheme

A Massachusetts attorney is among four individuals facing charges related to a scheme to smuggle marijuana-soaked paper into a New England detention center, as announced by federal investigators on Tuesday.

Key Players and Charges

Attorney Theresa M. DiJoseph, 50, of Woburn, is charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, providing a prohibited object to an inmate, and making a false statement, according to United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha.

Hanasa Stedford, 21, of Hamden, Connecticut, along with two detainees at the Wyatt Detention Facility in Central Falls, Rhode Island—46-year-old Shawn D. Hart and 26-year-old Samuel Douglas—are charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance and providing a prohibited object to an inmate.

Communication and Evidence

DiJoseph allegedly communicated with Hart via text messages sent to a Wyatt-issued tablet. These messages reportedly included personal photos of DiJoseph and screenshots of Cash App or sports-betting transactions she appeared to have conducted on Hart’s behalf. Despite a temporary ban on her visits to Hart, DiJoseph was later allowed to visit him.

Incident and Discovery

During a visit on December 1, 2023, Wyatt correctional officers intercepted DiJoseph carrying 10 sheets of paper that appeared “discolored, thicker than normal, and to have been wet and dried,” consistent with papers soaked in synthetic marijuana. These papers were subsequently tested and confirmed to be soaked in marijuana by an FBI lab.

Conspiracy Details

Wyatt detainee Douglas allegedly orchestrated the meeting between his girlfriend, Stedford, and DiJoseph to hand over the contaminated papers outside the prison.

Court Appearances

DiJoseph and Stedford were scheduled for an initial court appearance in Providence on Tuesday. Hart and Douglas are set to appear in court at a later date.