A former employee at the Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility is facing serious charges after investigators say he smuggled tobacco into the prison and made thousands of dollars off the scheme.
Joseph Martens, 32, of Keokuk, was arrested late last month and is now charged with ongoing criminal conduct — a Class B felony — and possession of contraband in a correctional facility, a Class D felony.
According to a criminal complaint, Martens worked with others to sneak tobacco into the prison between October and December of last year. Authorities say he received about $3,500 in return, with some payments made through mobile apps. Others allegedly helped distribute the tobacco once it was inside.
Martens was booked into the Henry County Jail on April 26 but was released later that day after posting bond.
The case is still under investigation, and officials haven’t ruled out more arrests. This is the second time since the start of the year that a staff member at Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility has been arrested.
