A Phoenix man was sentenced to prison last week after using local bookstores to send drug-laced books to federal inmates, according to authorities. Julius Darnell Dixon, 54, was sentenced to 51 months behind bars by U.S. District Judge Steven Logan, with an additional 60 months of supervised release.
Dixon pleaded guilty in October to conspiring to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Prosecutors say his crimes began in February 2023 and continued until April 2024. Dixon coordinated with federal inmates to smuggle Suboxone strips inside books sent from Phoenix-area bookstores. By using bookstores, Dixon successfully bypassed prison security, making it appear that the inmates had purchased the books directly.
The smuggling operation came to light when prison staff intercepted two mailings sent between Dixon and the inmates. Investigators traced the packages back to the Phoenix bookstores and discovered that Dixon had provided his name, mailing address, and email to one of the stores.
This case serves as a reminder of the innovative tactics criminals use to circumvent prison security and highlights the ongoing challenges in preventing drug smuggling within correctional facilities.
