ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — A former New Mexico jail officer who authorities said took cash from inmates to let them out has avoided jail time.
Vincent Peele was sentenced Friday to five years of probation and 500 hours of community service for taking bribes from inmate to get them out of jail and into a house arrest program.
The 50-year-old Peele, who served as the coordinator and court liaison for the community custody program at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Albuquerque, pleaded guilty in December to three counts of bribery. He originally faced 49 charges.
County Commissioner Wayne Johnson said Peele left a mess behind for county officials, and the sentence was disappointing.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.