A man once entrusted with keeping order inside Travis County’s jail system now finds himself behind bars — corrections officer Amos Nyanway was arrested, charged, and promptly dismissed after authorities say he covertly delivered fried chicken wings to an inmate in exchange for cash.
The Travis County Sheriff’s Office confirms that on August 21, 2025, during an internal probe by the Security Threat Intelligence Unit, suspicion arose that Nyanway had smuggled contraband — namely, chicken wings — into the Travis County Correctional Complex and given them to an inmate in return for monetary compensation.
Upon discovery of the allegation, Nyanway was immediately reassigned to administrative duties while the investigation proceeded. His formal employment with the Travis County Sheriff’s Office began on June 17, 2024, and he was let go by the department effective October 14, 2025.
The charges brought against him include Contraband in a Correctional Facility, a Class B misdemeanor under Texas law — the same category that carries potential penalties of up to six months in jail and/or fines reaching $2,000. As of his firing, Nyanway was in Travis County Jail, awaiting further court proceedings.
Sheriff Sally Hernandez issued a statement expressing her dismay: “I’m disappointed that a Travis County Sheriff’s Office corrections officer made such a foolish decision. We hold our employees to a high standard of conduct and accountability. We simply cannot tolerate contraband of any type being brought into our secure facilities.”
Though it might seem like a small act on its face, smuggling food into a correctional facility is no trivial matter — contraband undermines safety, order, and the integrity of the penal system. The case has stirred local attention, not just because of the odd choice of item, but also because it involves a trusted gatekeeper turning that trust into personal gain.
At the moment, it remains to be seen how Nyanway’s legal defense will respond. Will he argue coercion, lapse in judgment, or something else entirely? The next steps hinge on court filings, possible plea negotiations, or trial proceedings. Meanwhile, the department’s message is loud and clear: they won’t tolerate breaches of protocol, especially when they involve the very workings of corrections.
If further updates emerge, such as court dates or statements from Nyanway or his attorney, I’ll be ready to pull them in. Do you want me to monitor this case and send you the next developments?