An arraignment hearing is set today for a clerical worker at Calipatria State Prison who was arrested on an indictment for allegedly accepting about $33,600 from prisoners in exchange for smuggling cell phones and tobacco into the prison.
The 13-count grand jury indictment in San Diego federal court dated Dec. 15 further alleges that 28-year-old David Santos Zamudio II of El Centro allegedly schemed to defraud the state, as well as the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, by instructing inmates and “persons acting on their behalf” to make wire transfer payments to him through MoneyGram and Western Union.
Zamudio was arrested Tuesday.
Federal prosecutors allege the wire fraud began in February 2009 and continued through October 2010 when Zamudio worked in the prison’s dental office.
Not only did Zamudio allegedly smuggle cell phones and tobacco products but delivered them as well by concealing the items in his person or “in his property,” according to the indictment.
It was not immediately known how long Zamudio worked at the prison but he was caught trying to bring in the items to the prison last year, Calipatria State Prison Administrative Lt. Jorge Santana said Tuesday.
Zamudio was in custody Tuesday and was set to appear today in El Centro federal court where a plea will be entered.
The hearing is expected to also cover what his bail arrangement will be. FBI agents arrested Zamudio at his home, officials said.
Zamudio kept track of medical files of prisoners “in support of treatment by doctors, physician’s assistants and nurses” at the prison, according to the indictment.
Staff Writer Silvio J. Panta can be reached at 760-337-3442 or at spanta@ivpressonline.com
The 13-count grand jury indictment in San Diego federal court dated Dec. 15 further alleges that 28-year-old David Santos Zamudio II of El Centro allegedly schemed to defraud the state, as well as the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, by instructing inmates and “persons acting on their behalf” to make wire transfer payments to him through MoneyGram and Western Union.
Zamudio was arrested Tuesday.
Federal prosecutors allege the wire fraud began in February 2009 and continued through October 2010 when Zamudio worked in the prison’s dental office.
Not only did Zamudio allegedly smuggle cell phones and tobacco products but delivered them as well by concealing the items in his person or “in his property,” according to the indictment.
It was not immediately known how long Zamudio worked at the prison but he was caught trying to bring in the items to the prison last year, Calipatria State Prison Administrative Lt. Jorge Santana said Tuesday.
Zamudio was in custody Tuesday and was set to appear today in El Centro federal court where a plea will be entered.
The hearing is expected to also cover what his bail arrangement will be. FBI agents arrested Zamudio at his home, officials said.
Zamudio kept track of medical files of prisoners “in support of treatment by doctors, physician’s assistants and nurses” at the prison, according to the indictment.
Staff Writer Silvio J. Panta can be reached at 760-337-3442 or at spanta@ivpressonline.com
