Former guard pleads guilty in meth smuggling

HONOLULU (AP) — A former prison guard pleaded guilty to charges related to smuggling methamphetamine into Halawa Correctional Facility.

James Sanders III said Tuesday in federal court he distributed meth to a confidential informant and took $5,000 to smuggle items into the prison.

He pleaded guilty to a meth distribution charge and bribery.

He was one of two guards arrested in January for allegedly smuggling drugs into prison.

Sanders faces up to 50 years in prison and more than $5 million in fines when he’s sentenced June 26.

The 31-year-old from Kailua was hired as an adult corrections officer in January 2012 and resigned Feb. 5.