A Citrus County jail inmate and a city employee are at the center of a bribery and smuggling investigation. On January 15, 2026, around 10:30 a.m., authorities arrested an inmate at the Citrus County Detention Center in Inverness on charges of bribery and smuggling contraband into the jail.
The inmate, 32-year-old Michael Johnson of Inverness, allegedly attempted to bribe a corrections officer to smuggle a cell phone into the jail. The officer, who has not been named, reportedly refused the bribe and notified supervisors. Johnson was arrested and charged with bribery and smuggling contraband.
Following Johnson’s arrest, a city employee, 45-year-old Emily Davis of Inverness, threatened to file a lawsuit against the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, claiming her rights were violated during the investigation. Davis, who works in the city’s public works department, had been in contact with Johnson and allegedly provided him with information about the jail’s operations.
The Citrus County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to investigate the incident and has not released any further information about potential charges against Davis or other individuals involved.
Originally reported by Citrus County Chronicle – Inverness
Sources: Citrus County Chronicle – Inverness
