Attorney Charged in Drug Smuggling Scheme

Theresa M. DiJoseph, a 50-year-old Massachusetts attorney, faces multiple charges, including possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance and providing a prohibited object to an inmate, in a scheme to smuggle synthetic marijuana into a Rhode Island detention facility. Federal prosecutors allege that DiJoseph used her legal credentials to meet with inmate Shawn D. Hart while acting suspiciously, prompting correctional officers to investigate her communications. During a visit on December 1, 2023, officers confiscated 10 sheets of paper allegedly soaked in synthetic marijuana, which were confirmed by FBI testing. DiJoseph reportedly sent Hart personal photos and details of financial transactions, indicating an intimate relationship and involvement in sports betting on his behalf. Alongside DiJoseph, three other individuals, including Hart and two accomplices, have been charged with conspiracy related to the drug smuggling scheme. DiJoseph was arrested and is expected to appear in federal court in Providence.