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A former state prison guard pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday to accepting money from an inmate and the inmate’s wife last year to smuggle cigarettes into Halawa Correctional Facility.
John Joseph Kalei Hall, 37, faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced in March.
Hall said, "I received money from an inmate to purchase cigarettes," and to distribute the cigarettes to other inmates.
According to a grand jury indictment against him, Hall did this on Sept. 18-23.
Federal Prosecutor Michael Song said Hall received $2,000 in cash and in Western Union wire transfers to purchase and smuggle Camel brand cigarettes into Halawa.
He said Hall also alerted inmates of upcoming prison searches for illegal contraband.
The state Department of Public Safety uncovered the scheme and turned the case over to the FBI.
"We have always been and will always be proactive when it comes to preventing illegal activity within our prison walls," said Toni Schwartz, department spokeswoman.
Hall resigned in February. Authorities arrested him in Las Vegas in April.