RICHMOND -- A former correctional officer at the federal prison in Petersburg has pleaded guilty to having a sexual relationship with an inmate and accepting bribes.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Richmond, Teresa Mendoza was a senior correctional officer at the Federal Correctional Center when she accepted money and gifts from an inmate in exchange for contraband such as cellphones, cigarettes and alcohol.

Prosecutors also said Mendoza acknowledged that she engaged in a consensual sexual relationship with an inmate.

Mendoza pleaded guilty Monday to bribery of a public official and to carnal knowledge with an inmate.

She is scheduled for sentencing in October and faces a maximum prison term of 20 years for the two offenses, which occurred from June 2006 through May 2007.

-- Associated Press