Mercer County prosecutors said the officer smuggled heroin, other drugs and a cell phone into the prison
TRENTON - A New Jersey State Prison corrections officer has been charged with accepting bribes to smuggle drugs into the prison after an investigation into several overdoses at the Trenton facility, prosecutors said Friday.
Michael Marrero, 33, of Camden County, was charged Tuesday with official misconduct, money laundering, conspiracy to distribute drugs, bribery and conspiracy to use certain electronic communication devices in correctional facilities.
The New Jersey Department of Corrections launched an investigation after the series of heroin overdoses was reported, Mercer County prosecutors said Friday. They did not say how many overdoses were reported.
Former prison employee charged with smuggling
Marrero has been working as a corrections officer for seven years and has an annual salary of $67,422, according a spokesperson from the department of corrections. He has been suspended with pay since his arrest, the spokesperson said.
Marrero is accused of smuggled heroin, suboxone, marijuana, tobacco and a cell phone into the jail for inmates, according to prosecutors.
Witnesses gave information to investigators on how the contraband had been smuggled into the jail, prosecutors said.
Marrero is being held on $50,000 bail.
Marrero appeared in court briefly for a bail hearing Friday but family members said they would obtain their own attorney and planned to post bail, according to prosecutors.
Anna Merriman may be reached at amerriman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @anna_merriman