A Miami-Dade correctional officer and his wife have been arrested for smuggling contraband into the Metro West Detention Center.
Authorities with the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office announced Thursday that 23-year-old Officer Gary West Alford and his wife, Shantica Anastacia Alford, were arrested following a joint investigation by the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office, the Miami-Dade Police Department and the Miami-Dade Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Internal Affairs Bureau.
According to a Miami-Dade County State Attorney's Office news release, the couple received payments to bring various contraband items into the jail.
Gary Alford is charged with seven counts of unlawful compensation or reward for official behavior, six counts of introduction of contraband into a county detention facility and one count of conspiracy.
His wife is charged with six counts of introduction of contraband into a county detention facility and one count of conspiracy.
All charges are felonies.
According to the news release, the couple met with an undercover Miami-Dade police detective to arrange payment via a burner phone and a mobile app in exchange for bringing cellphones and food into the jail.
The Alfords were given cash for their illegal activities, authorities said.