In a serious breach of prison rules and legal boundaries, a 32-year-old Florida woman, identified as B. Herera, has been arrested and charged with conspiracy to tamper with a witness. Authorities say she smuggled a cellphone to her incarcerated husband, J. Tochton, a convicted murderer currently appealing his 2013 conviction.
The woman was arrested on Friday and booked into the county jail with a $5,000 bond. Her husband, 38-year-old Tochton, is also facing additional charges for his alleged role in the attempted witness tampering scheme.
Inappropriate Contact Discovered by Prison Officials
According to court documents, the investigation began when prison staff intercepted communications between Tochton and Herera. The couple were reportedly using the smuggled cellphone to discuss ways to influence a witness in Tochton’s appeal case.
In one conversation, Herera is said to have told her husband:
“Baby, you’re going to come home,”
— indicating they hoped manipulating the witness could help get his conviction overturned.
Instructions to Manipulate Testimony
Further evidence revealed that the couple allegedly planned to coach the witness to falsely claim that the state prosecutor had made threats. The goal was to discredit the original testimony that contributed to Tochton’s murder conviction.
These actions, authorities say, were all part of a calculated effort to alter the course of justice in Tochton’s appeal.
Woman Admits to Smuggling Phone
During police questioning, Herera reportedly admitted to smuggling the cellphone into the correctional facility. She also acknowledged her involvement in the plan to manipulate the witness’s statement.
She claimed that her actions were driven by her desire to help her husband gain freedom after over a decade in prison.
Officials Stress Seriousness of Charges
Investigators have highlighted the seriousness of witness tampering, especially when it involves the use of contraband inside a prison.
“Tampering with a witness undermines the entire justice system,” an official said.
“This case shows how far people may go to influence court outcomes—at the risk of facing new criminal charges.”
Both Herera and Tochton are scheduled to appear in court later this month for a hearing on the new charges.
A Reminder of Prison Security Challenges
This case also highlights the constant challenges correctional officers face in preventing illegal communications and smuggling of contraband into prisons. Mobile phones, in particular, pose a serious risk, as they allow inmates to coordinate actions both inside and outside the prison.
Officials say the investigation is ongoing, and more people may be involved.