NEWARK, N.J. (1010 WINS) — A corrections officer at a Newark prison and his girlfriend were arrested Tuesday after they agreed to smuggle contraband into the jail at the behest of an undercover FBI agent, according to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.
Efrin Wade, 34, and his 29-year-old girlfriend Yairisa Lizardo allegedly started communicating with an undercover FBI agent in January. The couple allegedly agreed to smuggle tobacco and cell phones into Essex County Correctional Facility, where Wade had worked since February 2020.
On Feb. 1, Lizardo met with the agent and accepted $10,000 alongside a shipment of tobacco, according to prosecutors.
Wade then smuggled the tobacco into ECCF, leaving stashes hidden around the facility, officials said.
He thought prisoners would retrieve the tobacco for sale to other inmates, but, in reality, law enforcement was retrieving the contraband.
Wade and Lizardo also allegedly received cell phones to smuggle into the jail.
During his shift Tuesday, law enforcement searched Wade and found multiple packs of cigarettes, tobacco and cigars.
Prosecutors charged both of the defendants with extortion under color of official right. They each face up to 20 years in prison and were released on $100,000 bond.
Related
Related
Related
