{"id":61356,"date":"2026-08-05T16:09:16","date_gmt":"2026-08-05T23:09:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=61356"},"modified":"2026-08-05T16:09:16","modified_gmt":"2026-08-05T23:09:16","slug":"lompoc-federal-prison-guard-wife-guilty-contraband-smuggling","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=61356","title":{"rendered":"Federal Prison Guard, Wife Plead Guilty in Contraband Smuggling Scheme for Cash"},"content":{"rendered":"

A federal correctional officer at the Federal Correctional Complex (FCC) Lompoc and his wife pleaded guilty Wednesday to conspiring to smuggle contraband<\/strong>, including Suboxone<\/strong>, a controlled substance used to treat opioid addiction, to a federal inmate in exchange for $6,650<\/strong> in illicit payments.<\/em><\/h3>\n

\"\"\"\"LOS ANGELES<\/strong> \u2014 Paul Betancourt, 38, and Sylvia Betancourt, 49, both of Lompoc, each pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to provide contraband to a federal inmate<\/strong>, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to plea agreements, Paul Betancourt worked as a correctional officer for the Federal Bureau of Prisons<\/strong> at FCC Lompoc. Between May and September 2023, he agreed to deliver contraband<\/strong> to an inmate housed at the prison.<\/span><\/p>\n

Prosecutors said Sylvia Betancourt collected cash payments<\/strong> and contraband<\/strong> from intermediaries working on behalf of the inmate, then passed the items to her husband for delivery inside the prison.<\/span><\/p>\n

Court documents state the couple met with or received payments from the inmate or his associates on at least 13 occasions<\/strong>. The contraband included Suboxone<\/strong>, and payments ranged from $100 to $1,500<\/strong> per delivery.<\/span><\/p>\n

In total, the inmate paid the couple $6,650<\/strong> for the smuggling operation.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Federal Bureau of Prisons<\/strong> has indefinitely suspended Paul Betancourt from his position.<\/span><\/p>\n

U.S. District Judge Anne Hwang scheduled sentencing for Jan. 27, 2027<\/strong>. Each defendant faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Quick Facts<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
    \n
  • Defendants:<\/strong> Paul Betancourt, 38, and Sylvia Betancourt, 49<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Charge:<\/strong> Conspiracy to provide contraband to a federal inmate<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Location:<\/strong> Federal Correctional Complex, Lompoc<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Contraband:<\/strong> Suboxone<\/strong> and other prohibited items<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Illegal Payments:<\/strong> $6,650<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
  • Smuggling Incidents:<\/strong> At least 13<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n
  • Employment Status:<\/strong> Paul Betancourt indefinitely suspended by the Bureau of Prisons<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Sentencing Date:<\/strong> Jan. 27, 2027<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Maximum Penalty:<\/strong> Five years in federal prison each<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    A federal correctional officer at the Federal Correctional Complex (FCC) Lompoc and his wife pleaded guilty Wednesday to conspiring to smuggle contraband, including Suboxone, a controlled substance used to treat opioid addiction,…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":61357,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-61356","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nFederal Prison Guard, Wife Plead Guilty in Lompoc Contraband Smuggling Scheme for Cash<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A federal correctional officer at FCC Lompoc and his wife pleaded guilty to conspiring to smuggle drugs and other contraband to an inmate in exchange for $6,650. 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