Federal prosecutors say a prison guard has been arrested on suspicion of taking cash bribes in exchange for smuggling contraband into a Southern California lockup.
The Department of Justice says Monday that Paul James Hayes was a lieutenant assigned to investigate wrongdoing by inmates and guards at the Federal Correctional Complex in Victorville. The 49-year-old was arrested last week and could face federal charges including accepting bribes and conspiracy.
If convicted, he could face up to 20 years behind bars.
Officials say Hayes accepted a total of $40,000 in cash from the girlfriend of an inmate to bring illicit items into the prison.
The woman, 42-year-old Angel Wagner, was also arrested on suspicion of conspiracy and bribery.
It wasn't immediately known if Hayes or Wagner have attorneys.
