A former deputy sheriff from a northern Virginia jail has been sentenced to 6 1/2 years in prison for his involvement in smuggling drugs into the jail and operating a sex trafficking scheme from a Baltimore apartment. Robert T. Sanford Jr., 37, worked night shifts at the Fairfax County jail as a corrections officer between 2021 and 2023. Court records show that he confessed to smuggling drugs such as fentanyl and cocaine, along with a phone, to a jail inmate for distribution among other prisoners. He also shared confidential information about internal investigations with the inmate and alerted him to cooperating inmates, putting them at risk of intimidation.

Prosecutors revealed that outside his duties as a guard, Sanford was involved in sex trafficking, acting as a pimp who trafficked women and administered drugs to them. Prosecutors highlighted the severity of his actions, stating that Sanford exploited vulnerable individuals under his supervision for personal gain. Jessica D. Aber, U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, stated that Sanford abused his authority and manipulated homeless and addicted individuals into a life of prostitution for his benefit.

The sentencing, which took place in U.S. District Court in Alexandria, aligned closely with the prosecution’s recommendation and exceeded the 4-year sentence proposed by Sanford’s public defender. In a letter to the judge, Sanford expressed remorse for his deeds and vowed to continue therapy to ensure he stays on the right track. His lawyer emphasized that mental health issues played a role in his client’s criminal activities.