Crown seeks jail sentence for fired jail guard caught smuggling in contraband for inmates

The Crown wants a fired jail guard to spend 18 months behind bars for smuggling cigarettes and marijuana into Penetanguishe jail.

The Crown wants a fired jail guard to spend 18 months behind bars for smuggling cigarettes and marijuana into Central North Correctional Centre in Penetanguishene two years ago.

Alex Williams, 25, pleaded guilty to breach of trust and smuggling contraband into the jail while he was being investigated by provincial police following suspicions Williams was supplying inmates with cigarettes and cannabis.

• Former Ont. guard pleads guilty to smuggling cannabis into jail

“Offenders like Mr. Williams do not just smuggle contraband they smuggle risk into already volatile environments,” said Crown Attorney Neil Riley. “A message must be sent, that the law will not tolerate insiders facilitating criminal enterprise within custody walls.

The provincial and federal prosecution told Justice Stacey Nichols the court “must send an unequivocal message to all correctional officers and peace officers that breaches of institutional trust will be met with meaningful custodial sanctions” and to do otherwise would “undermine public confidence in the justice system and institutional integrity.”

Defence lawyer Jeffrey Fisher sought an 18-month conditional sentence for Williams including 12 months under house arrest followed by six months of curfew or nine months behind bars should the court rule Williams be incarcerated.

The defence told the court Williams had a tough upbringing and was remorseful. After being fired from the jail, Fisher got another job and is a contributing member of society. He argued Williams should serve his sentence in the community and not behind bars.

According to an Agreed Statement of Facts presented to the court, Williams was captured on surveillance cameras during his shift on December 4, 2023, removing shoes from a duffel bag then placing the shoes on a cart.

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

Police were watching nearby and quickly put Williams under arrest, finding four long cylindrical packages with 264 grams of cannabis and cannabis byproducts inside the packages along with 260 grams of tobacco rolling papers, lighter parts, and matches.

After being cleared to search his vehicle, police found a shoe box inside containing $4,000 in $20 bills in $1,000 stacks.

The defence said, however, Williams did not admit the cash came from bringing the contraband into the jail.

According to those who know him, Williams worked at the Penetanguishene jail for about two years prior to his arrest.

Williams is scheduled to be sentenced in late September.