Former juvenile detention guard charged with smuggling drugs for cash

CHEHALIS, Wash. — A former guard at a juvenile detention facility in Chehalis is charged with taking bribes in exchange for smuggling drugs and other items into the building.

Julio W. Hayes began working as a guard at the Green Hill School in November 2018. In May 2019, he began accepting bribes from juvenile offenders, their family or friends to smuggle marijuana, iPhones, vape pens and chewing tobacco into the facility, according to an indictment.

The indictment describes text messages and electronic payments that show Hayes essentially took orders from offenders for contraband they wanted him to smuggle into the building.

Court documents say Hayes received payment through electronic methods such as Cash App, and accepted more than $11,000 before he was fired in February 2020 following an FBI operation that uncovered his activity.

When he was pulled over by police on his way to work on Feb. 25, 2020, officers found marijuana that was packaged for smuggling and three liquid marijuana vape cartridges, charging papers said.

Hayes is charged with seven counts of Hobbs Act Extortion Under Color of Official Right. He is also charged with conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession of controlled substances with intent to distribute.

Both charges carry sentences of up to 20 years in prison.

Cox Media Group