Prison Guard Pleads Guilty to Smuggling Drugs

A state correction officer has pleaded guilty to federal charges related to accusations he bought prescription pills to be smuggled into the prison where he worked.

Arcolain Fountain, 46, of East Haven, waived his right to indictment and pleaded guilty in court in Hartford to one count of attempting to possess with the intent to distribute a controlled substance, according to U.S. Attorney David Fine.

Authorities said Fountain met an undercover officer to accept what he believed were 90 oxycodone pills that he planned to smuggle into the prison and deliver to an inmate.

During a meeting with an undercover officer on July 17, Fountain also accepted $450 in cash and a quantity of Ecstasy pills as payment for delivering the oxycodone to the inmate and was arrested, according to a news release from Fine’s office.

Fountain, who worked at the Cheshire Correctional Institution, will be sentenced on March 12. He faces a maximum term of 20 years in prison and a fine up to $1 million.

 State charges are also pending.