Former Region III Food Service Supervisor arrested for bribery on Luther Unit

By Rosemary Smith, Navasota Examiner

(follow this link to view picture of Rachel Johnson)

From the Backgate ; Rachel Johnson previously held the same position in Region III at the Terrell and Clemens units. Some of you may recognize her from her mugshot photo (see link above).
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Navasota Luther Unit food service manager II Rachel Lynn Johnson of Hempstead, 39, was arrested for bribery, a second-degree felony, and prohibited item in correctional facility, a third-degree felony, Sept. 30. Six months ago, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice Office of Inspector General arrested former Navasota Wallace Pack Unit Correctional Officer III Brian J. Busse, then 21, for the same charges.

OIG Public Information Officer Jason Clark said a cell phone was discovered hidden under a sink during a routine prison cell check at the Luther Unit. Johnson allegedly admitted to bringing a cell phone and other prohibited items into the facility for an inmate after investigators linked the cell phone back to her.

Johnson, who served TDCJ for a total of 60 months and began employment at the Luther Unit Feb. 1, 2010, subsequently resigned in lieu of disciplinary measures, Clark said. Johnson was arrested at her residence by Waller County Sheriff's Office and transported to the Grimes County Jail. Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace John LeFlore issued the warrants and set bonds for Johnson at $7,500 cash or surety and $5,000 cash or surety, respectively. Johnson was bonded out by Navasota Bail Bonds that same day. March 21, Busse was charged with a second-degree felony charge for bribery and a third-degree felony charge for prohibited item in correctional facility. Clark said Busse allegedly brought a water bottle to the Wallace Pack Unit that contained alcohol and also allegedly agreed to bring in tobacco for an inmate.

Busse, who began his employment at the Pack Unit on Dec. 3, 2009, was then terminated.
Office of the Inspector General Criminal Investigator Jason Warren of TDCJ arrested Busse on March 21, at 7:15 p.m. Busse bonded out of Grimes County Jail at 9:20 p.m. that same day. LeFlore set both P.R. bonds for Busse at $2,500 for each charge, for a cumulative total of $5,000. LeFlore explained that the reason Busse was given P.R. bonds for the same charges Johnson is faced with is because "he was born and raised here. And he's still here. And the P.R. bonds were recommended by TDCJ."