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United States of America v. Robert Cochran and Tejuana Dillard
Date: 08-21-2026
Case Number:
Judge: Brian S. Miller.
Court: United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas (Pulaski County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: Julie Peters
Defendant's Attorney:
Click Here For The Best Little Rock Criminal Defense Lawyer Directory
Description:
Little Rock, Arkansas, criminal defense lawyers represented the Defendants charged with smuggling contraband into the Forrest City Federal Correctional Complex (FCC).
Reported by: Kent Morlan
On December 5, 2023, Robert Cochran, 37, of Forrest City, was indicted by a federal grand jury in a one count Indictment charging him with bribery of a public official. On March 11, 2026, Cochran pleaded guilty to the charge in the Indictment.
On June 6, 2024, Tejuana Dillard, 42, of Wynne, was indicted by a federal grand jury in a two-count Indictment with one count of bribery of a public official and one count of making a false statement to federal agents. On March 11, 2026, Dillard pleaded guilty to making the false statements. There is no parole in the federal system.
An investigation revealed that while Cochran was employed as a correctional officer at Forrest City FCC, he received approximately $58,775 from friends and family of the inmates at the prison to bring contraband, including rolling papers, tobacco, Gucci sunglasses, and over the counter drugs, into the facility. Cochran was captured on video footage in February 2023 leaving bags containing contraband in an office while on duty. After Cochran left the office, an inmate would enter to retrieve the items. Cochran later admitted he was paid to bring items into the prison for inmates.
Through a separate investigation, it was determined that Dillard, who was employed for 13 years as a correctional officer between 2008 and July 2021 at Forrest City FCC, smuggled contraband cigarettes into the prison throughout 2020. Dillard received in total $91,788 to provide the cigarettes to two inmates, who later sold the contraband cigarettes to other inmates in the facility. Dillard, in an interview with federal agents, admitted to smuggling cigarettes while she was employed as a correctional officer, but stated she had only done so “a couple of times.” At the time of her interview with the federal agents, Dillard knew the statements she made were false.
Reported by: Kent Morlan
On December 5, 2023, Robert Cochran, 37, of Forrest City, was indicted by a federal grand jury in a one count Indictment charging him with bribery of a public official. On March 11, 2026, Cochran pleaded guilty to the charge in the Indictment.
On June 6, 2024, Tejuana Dillard, 42, of Wynne, was indicted by a federal grand jury in a two-count Indictment with one count of bribery of a public official and one count of making a false statement to federal agents. On March 11, 2026, Dillard pleaded guilty to making the false statements. There is no parole in the federal system.
An investigation revealed that while Cochran was employed as a correctional officer at Forrest City FCC, he received approximately $58,775 from friends and family of the inmates at the prison to bring contraband, including rolling papers, tobacco, Gucci sunglasses, and over the counter drugs, into the facility. Cochran was captured on video footage in February 2023 leaving bags containing contraband in an office while on duty. After Cochran left the office, an inmate would enter to retrieve the items. Cochran later admitted he was paid to bring items into the prison for inmates.
Through a separate investigation, it was determined that Dillard, who was employed for 13 years as a correctional officer between 2008 and July 2021 at Forrest City FCC, smuggled contraband cigarettes into the prison throughout 2020. Dillard received in total $91,788 to provide the cigarettes to two inmates, who later sold the contraband cigarettes to other inmates in the facility. Dillard, in an interview with federal agents, admitted to smuggling cigarettes while she was employed as a correctional officer, but stated she had only done so “a couple of times.” At the time of her interview with the federal agents, Dillard knew the statements she made were false.
Outcome:
Each of the Defendants were sentenced to 30 months in prison.
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments:
About This Case
What was the outcome of United States of America v. Robert Cochran and Tejuana Di...?
The outcome was: Each of the Defendants were sentenced to 30 months in prison.
Which court heard United States of America v. Robert Cochran and Tejuana Di...?
This case was heard in United States District Court for the Eastern District of Arkansas (Pulaski County), AR. The presiding judge was Brian S. Miller..
Who were the attorneys in United States of America v. Robert Cochran and Tejuana Di...?
Plaintiff's attorney: Julie Peters. Defendant's attorney: Click Here For The Best Little Rock Criminal Defense Lawyer Directory.
When was United States of America v. Robert Cochran and Tejuana Di... decided?
This case was decided on August 21, 2026.