Former Corrections Officer Sentenced For Smuggling Cell Phones Into Prison

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – A former correction officer in Folsom has plead no contest to charges that he attempted to smuggle eight cell phones into prisoners, according to officials.

Robert Chaiyarat pled no contest to conspiracy to facilitate unlawful communications with prison inmates, according to Sacramento County District Attorney Jan Scully.

Chaiyarat was caught smuggling eight cell phones into California State Prison Sacramento in Folsom and confessed to taking about $8,641 in bribes for the phones.

He told investigators he needed the money to recover from the cost of his divorce.

Chaiyarat had served in Iraq and worked at Beale Air Force Base with a top secret security clearance. He resigned from both the California Department of Corrections and from his job at Beale.

The judge immediately sentenced Chaiyarat to three years formal probation, 90 days in county jail, restitution to CDCR of $8,641 and probation.