Texas Correctional Officer Arrested For Smuggling Tobacco Into Prison Using Burritos

James Byron Thibodeaux, 66, was jailed after admitting to smuggling tobacco into a Henderson prison via burritos and accepting payments via Cash App.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 19, 2026, 6:29 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from KLTV / Gray News

Contraband Discovery At Bradshaw State Jail

An investigation into internal corruption at the Bradshaw State Jail led to the arrest of a veteran correctional officer last Thursday. According to an affidavit from the Office of Inspector General, jail staff reported finding suspicious contraband inside a bathroom trash can shortly before 7 a.m. Investigators noted that James Byron Thibodeaux was seen exiting the facility's bathroom immediately before the discovery was made. The "mechanical necessity" of maintaining a sterile environment within the correctional facility prompted an immediate search, which uncovered tobacco products concealed within food items.

The Burrito Smuggling Scheme And Confession

During questioning by investigators, the 66-year-old Henderson resident reportedly admitted to a specific method of delivery. Thibodeaux confessed to dropping burritos stuffed with tobacco into the trash can for a pre-arranged inmate to retrieve later. Furthermore, the officer admitted that his cooperation was not a one-time occurrence; he acknowledged receiving at least one payment through the mobile payment service Cash App in exchange for facilitating the delivery. This digital trail has become a primary focus for investigators as they look into the frequency and scale of the smuggling operation.

Legal Charges And Potential Penalties

Thibodeaux was arrested on-site at approximately 9:30 a.m. and transported to the Rusk County Jail. He has been officially charged with having a prohibited substance in a correctional facility, which is a third-degree felony in the state of Texas. If convicted, the veteran officer faces a "radical transformation" of his own legal status, with potential penalties including up to 20 years in a state prison and fines totaling $10,000. He was released from custody over the weekend after posting a $15,000 bond.