A total of 13 officers indicted Tuesday as these Maryland state prison guards helped a dangerous national gang operate a drug-trafficking and money-laundering scheme from behind bars that involved cash payments, sex and access to fancy cars, federal prosecutors said in a statement.

The 13 officers indicted are all female employees of the Maryland state prison in Baltimore. They were all correction officers who allegedly handed over control of the prison to the inmates. The 13 officers indicted were charged with federal racketeering Tuesday.

"The inmates literally took over 'the asylum,' and the detention centers became safe havens for BGF," FBI Special Agent in Charge Stephen E. Vogt told the Washington Post.

The guards allegedly helped leaders of the BGF run their criminal enterprise in jail by smuggling cellphones, prescription pills and other contraband in their underwear, shoes and hair, according to the Washington Post.

One gang leader allegedly used proceeds to buy luxury cars, including a Mercedes-Benz and a BMW, which he allowed some of the officers to drive.

Four of the women are allegedly pregnant with Tavon White's children. White, 36, is known as the leader of the Black Guerilla Family (BGF). The officers identified as pregnant are Jennifer Owens, 31, Katera Stevenson, 24, Chania Brooks, 27, and Tiffany Linder, 27. White is known as the leader of the Black Guerilla Family (BGF).

"Correctional officers were in bed with BGF inmates," Maryland U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein said. "We need to be able to rely on people within law enforcement - to make sure they are on our side."

BGF formed in the 1960s but since the 2000s, it became a strong gang in the Maryland state prison. These women were allegedly targeted because of low self-esteem issues and two of the 13 officers indicted reportedly have White's name tattooed on their necks.

 During a wiretapped cellphone call made by White in January, he told a friend: "This is my jail. You understand that? I'm dead serious. I make every final call in this jail."

When it came to who is to blame, Gary Maynard stepped forward and blamed himself as the 13 officer indicted were in court Tuesday. "It's totally on me. I don't make any excuses," Maynard, the head of the Maryland agency  who has oversaw the prison since appointed to in 2007 said at a press conference.

 "We have zero tolerance for corruption among correctional officers, and we will continue striving to make all correctional facilities as secure as they can possibly be," Gov. Martin O'Malley said at the press conference.

As far as the 13 officers indicted go, they are no longer working at the prison for the moment.

 "We will move up the chain of command, and people will be held accountable." A spokesman said late Tuesday that all of the officers have been suspended without pay and that the department will recommend that they be fired.