Dental Assistant Charged in Drug Scheme at Orange County Prison

A former dental assistant working at a federal prison in Orange County, NY, is accused of accepting thousands of dollars in bribes to smuggle drugs and other contraband to inmates.

Federal prosecutors announced that 50-year-old Terri Lynn Outer of Montague, New Jersey, has been arrested and charged with bribery, providing or possessing contraband in prison, and conspiracy to provide or possess contraband in prison.

Dental Assistant Accepted Bribes to Smuggle Drugs into Prison in Orange County, NY

According to the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Outer worked as a contract dental assistant at FCI Otisville from January 2024 through August 2025. During that time, prosecutors said that Outer allegedly accepted more than $163,000 from inmates, their family members, and associates in exchange for smuggling prohibited items into the federal prison.

Otisville Prison

Investigators say Outer maintained extensive communications with inmates, former inmates, and their associates, including discussions about bringing a package weighing more than six pounds into the prison.

Contraband Seized at Otisville Prison

Pounds of Contraband Seized at Otisville Prison

The alleged scheme came to light on or about August 1, 2025, when prison staff searched a Health Services supply room that Outer had access to. During that search, investigators reportedly discovered approximately 3.2 pounds of marijuana and 6.7 pounds of loose-leaf tobacco hidden inside.

"As alleged, Terri Lynn Outer accepted bribes from federal inmates, their family members, and their associates in exchange for smuggling contraband, including drugs, into a federal prison," U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said in a statement. "The DOJ refuses to tolerate such corruption in our prisons. It makes our prisons more dangerous and makes rehabilitation more difficult."

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DOJ Office of the Inspector General Special Agent in Charge Ryan T. Geach added that smuggling contraband into prisons jeopardizes the safety and security of correctional facilities and said investigators remain committed to holding employees and contractors accountable when they abuse their positions.

Outer faces one count of bribery, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in prison, along with one count of providing or possessing contraband in prison and one count of conspiracy to provide or possess contraband in prison. Each of those charges carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

As with all criminal cases, the charges are allegations, and Outer is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

If there has been a change to this information, such as charges being dropped or dismissed, please email me CJ@Hudsonvalleycountry.com to make the necessary change.