Guards thwart prison smuggling attempt

The state Department of Public Safety says an attempt to smuggle contraband into Hale Nani Integration Center in Hilo was thwarted Saturday,

At approximately 11 a.m., inmate Sloan Deleon was spotted running out of a dorm and up a hillside, according to a written DPS statement. The dorm was put on lockdown while corrections officers gave chase.

A few minutes later, Deleon was seen further down the perimeter, running back to the dorm, carrying a silver bag. He was then observed climbing in through a window. A headcount and shakedown was conducted. All inmates were accounted for and the silver bag was recovered. It contained candy, tobacco and what appeared to be marijuana. The lockdown was lifted at about 1 p.m. The contraband situation is under investigation.

“I commend our staff for their fast work in identifying the individual who tried to bring in contraband and for locating the contraband quickly and efficiently,” said Public Safety Director Nolan Espinda. “Staff did everything they were trained to do.”

Deleon, who was serving time for felony theft and drug paraphernalia, was taken to Hawaii Community Correctional Center, where he could face possible contraband possession-related charges and attempted escape for leaving the dorm.