(WWJ) An officer working at the Macomb County Correctional Facility is facing a pair of felony charges after it's alleged he brought hidden drugs and cell phones into the prison.
Miguel Priest, 23, was arraigned in 42nd District Court on Thursday on one count of misconduct in office, and one count of bringing contraband in a prison.
According to the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office, Priest arrived to work at the prison, on 26 Mile Road in Lenox Twp., with some packages of snacks that another officer noticed "looked abnormal."
The packages were searched and contraband was found including cell phones and drugs, prosecutors allege.
“To have a corrections officer bring contraband into a prison is a huge security risk to life in the prison and public safety,” said Macomb County Prosecutor Pete Lucido, in a statement. "Officers are there to keep the peace, order, and control of the prison and contraband risks the safety and security of the facility."
A personal bond for Priest was set at $50,000 — with the condition that he not use alcohol or drugs — and a probable cause conference was scheduled for March 16.
Priest faces up to five years in prison for each charge if convicted.
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