Acting Erie County District Attorney Michael J. Flaherty, Jr. announces that 28-year-old Chad Lindner of Silver Creek pleaded guilty to Bribe Receiving in the Third Degree before State Supreme Court Justice Penny Wolfgang. 

Lindner was a Correction Officer working at Collins Correctional Facility. During November of 2015, he agreed to smuggle a cell phone into the correctional facility for an inmate. In exchange, the inmate agreed to pay Lindner $200. 

A cell phone is considered dangerous contraband in a prison. Inmates are not allowed to possess cell phones 

On November 19, 2016, Lindner met the inmate's girlfriend at a location in North Collins. There, she gave him a bag containing the cell phone and the money.

Investigators for the New York State Department of Corrections became aware of the agreement between Lindner and the inmate. With the assistance of the New York State Police, the investigators from the Department of Corrections set up surveillance at the location in North Collins and observed the inmate's girlfriend handing Lindner the bag containing the cell phone and money. Lindner and the inmate's girlfriend were arrested and afterward, made statements admitting the scheme.

Lindner resigned from his position as a CorrectionOfficer with the New York State Department of Corrections. 

Lindner faces up to 7 years in state prison when he is sentenced on August 9, 2016 at 9:30 a.m. by Justice Wolfgang.

Acting DA Flaherty commends the New York State Department of Corrections for its thorough investigation and the New York State Police for their assistance.

Assistant District Attorney Paul J. Williams III is prosecuting the case.