Correctional Officer Arrested and Charged with Attempting to Smuggle Heroin Into Federal Facility
| U.S. Attorney’s Office June 17, 2010 |
United States Attorney John E. Murphy announced that 28-year-old Randy M. Smith, of El Paso, a correctional officer at the Federal Corrections Institution in La Tuna, Texas, remains in federal custody after being arrested last night and charged with possession with intent to distribute heroin and attempting to provide contraband in prison.
According to a criminal complaint filed in this case, Smith agreed to smuggle one ounce of heroin into the facility and deliver to an inmate in exchange for $5,000. Yesterday, federal authorities arrested Smith in El Paso after he accepted the money and heroin from an undercover agent.
At his initial appearance this afternoon, the government requested that the defendant remain in custody pending trial. Smith is scheduled to have his detention hearing in El Paso on Tuesday morning at 10:00 before United States Magistrate Judge Richard Mesa.
This case is being investigated by agents with the Department of Justice Office of Inspector General and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
A criminal complaint is merely a charge and should not be considered as evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.