Jacksonville woman sentenced for conspiracy to bring oxy into Lowell

OCALA — Six months after being released from prison, a Jacksonville woman is on her way back there after taking a plea deal in a drug case.

Kwanzara Angel Fort, 39, was sentenced Monday to five years in prison by Circuit Judge Anthony Tatti during a change of plea hearing on charges of conspiracy to traffic in oxycodone and conspiracy to introduce contraband into a correctional institution. She pleaded no contest.

Since February 2001, Fort has been in and out of prison for various offenses, such as grand theft, grand theft of a motor vehicle and uttering a forged instrument. At the time of her arrest, she was on probation for a grand theft conviction in Alachua County.

Fort, who has 181 days for credit time served, must serve a minimum of three years and cannot be housed at Lowell Correctional Institution, th women's prison at 11120 NW Gainesville Road in Marion County. She must also testify truthfully in all court proceedings and pay fines and court cost, according to the terms of her agreement.

Fort was one of two people arrested by members of the Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team in late January on suspicion of plotting to bring oxycodone pills into the Lowell detention facility.

William Corbin Gervase Bright, the other suspect, was a corrections officer at Lowell. Bright, 25, of Ocala, was fired, officials said.

Free on bond, he faces charges similar to those in Fort's case.

Officials said Fort admitted her role in the plan to bring oxycodone pills into the prison. Bright told agents he was going to bring the pills into the prison by telling prison officials he needed them for a foot injury.

During an operation targeted at catching the duo, Fort told drug agents she had a connection at Lowell, according to an arrest report. They met with Fort and Bright. The deal was for undercover agents to provide Fort with the pills and she would give them to Bright, who would take them to the prison.

Bright said he wanted $500 for his services, according to the agents. Drug officials again met with Fort at  a gas station and gave her 87 oxycodone pills and $500. She passed them on to Bright, and agents detained them both. The pills and cash were recovered.

Contact Austin L. Miller at 867-4118, austin.miller@starbanner.com or @almillerosb.