Since 2012, corrections facilities in Hawaii have come under fire as guards continue to be arrested for smuggling illegal substances and other goods to inmates. In January, another officer at Halawa Correctional Facility was arrested on drug charges.
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), 46-year-old Marc Dumas was arrested by special agents at the Halawa facility. Mr. Dumas was charged with conspiracy to distribute and possess 5 or more grams of methamphetamine. Points of the allegations against Mr. Dumas include:
- Transcripts authorized by a federal court judge provide details of cell phone conversations and texts exchanged between Mr. Dumas and the brother of an inmate at the prison where Mr. Dumas worked.
- In the conversations, Mr. Dumas noted he would obtain cigarettes, methamphetamines and other goods for an inmate in exchange for money.
- Mr. Dumas faces a maximum of 40 years in prison if convicted.
Two weeks earlier, another Halawa corrections officer, a 31-year-old Kailu man named James Sanders, was arrested and later indicted on drug smuggling, bribery and other criminal offenses related to his work at the prison.
In September 2013, federal authorities charged 17 Hawaiian inmates with organizing and running a prison gang to obtain and distribute drugs, assault other prisoners and bribe prison officials.
Chronic underfunding and overcrowding of Hawaiian correctional facilities creates chaotic environments that often disregard the rights of prisoners and prison officials accused of illegal behavior.
We offer strong legal representation to individuals serving time in state and federal institutions. If concerned about your rights while in prison or when accused of a crime, contact our law office for skilled legal advice.