Edwin Fernand is a former correctional officer at California State Prison, Solano, who was arrested in 2024 after a grand jury indictment alleging that he accepted bribes to smuggle contraband into the prison.
The case was announced by the California Attorney General's Office and involved alleged weapons, mobile phones, alcohol, tobacco and other prohibited items.
Charges
On 7 May 2024, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced Fernand's arrest and said he had been indicted on four felony charges. The charges included conspiracy to smuggle weapons and other contraband into a penal institution, attempting to bring a deadly weapon into a penal institution and receiving bribes.
The Attorney General's Office said the indictment followed grand jury proceedings.
Alleged Conduct
Prosecutors alleged that Fernand accepted thousands of dollars in cash payments while working at California State Prison, Solano, near Vacaville. The alleged scheme involved working with an inmate and an out-of-custody accomplice to bring contraband into the prison.
CBS Bay Area reported that the listed contraband included knives, phones, chargers, tobacco and bottles of tequila. The allegations covered conduct said to have occurred during Fernand's time as a correctional officer between February 2020 and September 2021.
Investigation
The California Attorney General's Office credited state and federal law-enforcement partners for the case. The public announcement said the investigation involved the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and federal authorities.
Because the case was announced at the charging stage, the allegations should be understood as accusations unless and until resolved by plea, conviction or dismissal.
References
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