Jail guard pleads guilty to breach of trust for smuggling drugs, cigarettes to inmates

The agreed statement of facts was read to the court on Friday in the case of Alex Williams, a 24-year-old correctional officer charged last fall with smuggling cannabis and tobacco into Central North Correctional Centre in Penetanguishene.

The Crown telling the court Williams was under investigation by the OPP at the time, who were watching his movements inside the jail.

Williams was tracked, entering the unit for work and seen grabbing items from a duffle bag including several pairs of shoes.

On Friday the court heard how Williams was seen placing the shoes on a wheeled cart that was moved to a closet, where he opened the door and blocked the security camera’s view.

That’s when investigators searched the area and found several long cylindrical packages with 264g of cannabis and cannabis byproducts, with about the same amount of tobacco alongside rolling papers, matches and lighter parts.

After the charge was read in the Midland courtroom, Williams pleaded guilty to breach of trust by distributing contraband to inmates.

His lawyer Jeffrey Fisher said what the defence will not admit is whether Williams was in possession of money that was the result of any contraband trafficking.

The court heard a Nike shoebox containing $4,000 in $20 bills was seized.

Jail staff believed the money was related to the trafficking to inmates by Williams.

Justice Stacey Nichols must now decide in a Gardiner hearing whether this disputed evidence will be considered an aggravating factor and how it impacts Williams’ sentence.

Since his arrest, Williams has been banned from CNCC property, while the union president representing CNCC correctional officers Richard Dionne told CTV News the union is “Unable to provide any comments on this matter.”

However, the Ministry of the Solicitor General, which oversees jails in Ontario, said “The ministry can confirm that this individual is no longer employed by the ministry.”

According to those who know him, Williams worked at the Penetanguishene jail for about two years prior to his arrest. Police said investigators were made aware of an employee’s suspicious activity inside the jail and Williams was watched then searched by police and jail staff before being charged.

The defence has also requested a pre-sentence report to help the court understand Williams’ history prior to sentencing.

Williams’ matter returns to court next week in Midland to set a date before Justice Nichols for his Gardiner hearing.