MICHAEL W. BOWDEN, Smuggling Contraband, Washington 2017

Former Washington State Correctional Officer Michael W. Bowden has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for his scheme to smuggle contraband into the Monroe Correctional Complex. Bowden, 31, of Everett, pleaded guilty to extortion under color of official right on January 9, 2017.

U.S. District Judge Richard A. Jones delivered a scathing verdict, stating, “you were in a position of trust and power and it was abused. You compromised the safety of everyone in the facility.”

According to records, the Washington State Department of Corrections Intelligence and Investigations Unit asked the FBI to investigate contraband smuggling in December 2015. Using confidential sources, agents determined Bowden was accepting bribes of up to $1,000 to smuggle contraband into the prison. On three different occasions between July and September 2016, Bowden smuggled tobacco, a SIM card, and what he believed was methamphetamine into an inmate at the prison.

The inmate turned the contraband over to investigators each time. The incident highlights the severity of contraband smuggling in prisons, which can have devastating consequences. In a letter to the court, the head of the Monroe Correctional Complex noted that shortly before Bowden smuggled sham methamphetamine, an inmate had died of a meth overdose at the facility.

U.S. Attorney Annette L. Hayes expressed her outrage, stating, “We rely on correctional officers to do their difficult jobs with the utmost in integrity. When this defendant allowed contraband into the Twin Rivers Unit of the Monroe correctional facility, he breached the public’s trust in ways that harmed Twin Rivers staff and prisoners alike.”

The Washington Department of Corrections appreciates the efforts of the U.S. Attorney’s office in prosecuting Bowden. Assistant Secretary Stephen Sinclair stated, “Our correctional system prides itself on the safety and security of our officers, staff, and incarcerated population. We have no tolerance for misdeeds committed by the few, and appreciate the hard, dutiful work of the thousands of uniformed and non-uniformed staff in our facilities.”

The case was investigated by the FBI in partnership with the Washington State Department of Corrections Intelligence and Investigations Unit. Assistant United States Attorney Justin Arnold is leading the prosecution.

As the case demonstrates, the presence of contraband in prisons puts everyone at risk. Any contraband inside a prison is a serious issue, and the specific presence of methamphetamine endangers inmates and staff to additional risk as trades are made and debts are accrued, which often leads to increased violence.

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