U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger has announced a correctional officer at the Salem County Correctional Facility admitted to accepting a $5,000 bribe in exchange for agreeing to smuggle a cellphone into the jail to a prisoner.

Marcus Kidd, 36, of Elmer, pleaded guilty to an information charging him with one count of attempted extortion under color of official right, meaning he wrongfully took money not due to him as a public officer.

According to documents, in May 2022, Kidd agreed to smuggle a phone into the jail to the detainee in exchange for a $5,000 bribe. Kidd met with an associate of the detainee at a parking lot in Elmer and accepted $5,000 in cash and a cellphone.

Kidd's sentencing is set for December. He faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.