Corrections Officer Arrested on Methamphetamine Distribution Charges

At 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, January 26, 2014, Marc Damas, age 45, of Oahu, was arrested by special agents from the Honolulu FBI, along with investigators from the Hawaii Department of Public Safety Internal Affairs Division and Sheriff Division. Mr. Damas was arrested at the Halawa Correctional Facility where he was employed as an adult corrections officer.

Mr. Damas was charged via criminal complaint with one count of violating Title 21, United States Code Section 846: conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine. The statutory maximum penalty for this crime is 40 years in prison.

Following his arrest, Mr. Damas was transported to the Honolulu FBI Division in Kapolei for processing and then to the Federal Detention Center, where he will spend the night awaiting his initial appearance in U.S. District Court. The arraignment will likely be at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, January 27, 2014, in the courtroom of U.S. Magistrate Judge Barry M. Kurren.

The Honolulu FBI conducted the underlying investigation leading to this indictment in coordination with the state of Hawaii Department of Public Safety and the IRS-Criminal Investigative Division.

Honolulu FBI Special Agent in Charge Vida Bottom said, “Both the FBI and the Department of Public Safety will continue to work together to ensure the integrity of Hawaii’s correctional facilities. We recognize that the vast majority of adult corrections officers are dedicated public servants who put their lives on the line every day for the greater good. However, when allegations of corruption arise among prison employees, we will work with prison management to investigate wrongdoing and bring the corrupt to justice.”

Please remember that a criminal complaint is merely an allegation and that the defendant is innocent unless and until being found guilty in court.