A former Boulder County Sheriff’s deputy has been arrested for allegedly conspiring to smuggle marijuana edibles and chewing tobacco into the county jail.
Tyler Paul Mason, who was assigned to the jail, was arrested on Tuesday after an inmate told a staff member that another inmate had made arrangements with a deputy to bring the contraband into the jail.
The sheriff’s office hired Mason, 33, to work in the jail division in December, 2014. He was terminated on Oct. 12, after a sting led to his arrest.
A childhood friend of Mason’s, who was an inmate, conceived the plan with Mason. “It was determined Mason had been willing to smuggle contraband into the jail for money, as the deputy was experiencing financial hardship,” according to a release from the sheriff’s office.
The sheriff’s office launched the internal investigation after an inmate contacted jail staff with the allegation.
Authorities arranged for a woman to assist in the investigation, and on Sept. 28, the sheriff’s office alleges Mason met her in Longmont, where she gave him $160 in cash to pay for the tobacco and edibles.
Investigators witnessed the meeting, and the next day, recovered the cash from Mason’s vehicle.
After the transaction occurred, Mason was placed on administrative leave, until he was fired on Oct. 12.
Authorities say Mason didn’t bring any contraband into the jail, and investigators found no evidence suggesting he had smuggled, or attempted to smuggle, anything in the past.
Mason faces two counts of conspiracy to introduce contraband and one count of official misconduct.
He was booked and released on Tuesday, and is scheduled to return to court Dec. 1.