An Ellis Prison Case Manager Is Facing Serious Felony Charges
HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS — A Texas Department of Criminal Justice case manager is now at the center of a widening criminal investigation after being arrested last week in Walker County.
Jahlil Sharif Howard, 28, of Willis, Texas, was booked into the Walker County Jail on June 26, 2026, at 11:03 a.m. by the Texas Board of Criminal Justice Office of Inspector General. Howard faces three felony charges:
- Prohibited Substances in a Correctional/Civil Commitment Facility, a third‑degree felony in Texas, carrying a possible sentence of 2 to 10 years in prison.
- Bribery — Under Texas law, bribery is a second‑degree felony, punishable by 2 to 20 years in prison.
- Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity, carrying 2 to 20 years in prison.
A court approved bond was set at $20,000 per charge, totaling $60,000.
Howard was released from the Walker County Jail on Saturday, June 27, 2026, after posting more than $60,000 in bonds.
On June 10th, the Ellis Unit’s Facebook page for the TDCJ O.B. Ellis Unit publicly recognized Howard as one of its Non‑Uniformed Employees of the Month, posting:
“The O.B. Ellis Unit would like to congratulate our June Non‑Uniformed Employee’s of the Month!
Manager II – J. Howard”
The recognition came just 16 days before his arrest.
If convicted, Howard could face multiple felony sentences, including potential stacked penalties. All Persons arrested are innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
