Federal prison lieutenant in Florence accused of taking bribes to smuggle contraband to inmates

FLORENCE, Colo. (KRDO) -- A lieutenant at the Federal Correctional Complex (FCC) in Florence is facing federal charges after investigators say he accepted money in exchange for smuggling contraband to inmates.

FCC is a correctional complex comprising four facilities. According to court records, Michael Popma worked as a Federal Bureau of Prisons Special Investigative Service Lieutenant at the Federal Correctional Institution, where he supervised both staff and inmates.

Court records indicate that Popma's position also included overseeing the investigation, mitigation, and elimination of illicit inmate activities.

Records allege that Popma agreed to bring prohibited items into the Federal Prison Camp (FPC), a low-security facility, in exchange for cash. Court documents say the contraband included vaping devices, cell phones, and alcohol.

Popma, along with an inmate and their family member who are not identified in records, allegedly provided inmates "prohibited objects" beginning in September 2024 through around December 2024.

Within those four months, records indicate that Popma received around $15,500 and six bottles of alcohol from the inmate's family member as payment. During that time period, court records say that with the help of Popma, around 123 cellular telephones, 415 electronic nicotine vaporizers, and 274 bottles of alcohol were introduced into FPC.

Popma has been indicted on the following counts:

• Conspriacy
• Bribery
• Providing contraband in prison
• Unlawful interception of oral communication

The case remains under investigation.

KRDO13 reached out to the FCC, which says they take their "duty seriously to protect the individuals entrusted to our custody as well as maintain the safety of correctional staff and the community. Allegations of staff misconduct are taken seriously and, consistent with national policy, referred for investigation if warranted. Incidents of potential criminal activity or misconduct inside BOP facilities are thoroughly investigated for potential administrative discipline or criminal prosecution."

FCC officials told KRDO13 that Popma is currently employed with the Bureau of Prisons as a Lieutenant at the FCC; they say he was hired in November 2014 as a Correctional Officer and promoted to Lieutenant in August of 2021.

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