A New York National Guard soldier has been charged with smuggling drugs and cellphones into Collins Correctional Facility, a prison at the center of recent statewide unrest. Authorities say Savian M. Maxwell, 30, admitted to selling phones for $2,500 each and planned to sneak in razor blades.
Maxwell was arrested after a police K9 alerted to his car and person, leading to the discovery of marijuana and four phones. He faces felony charges including introducing contraband and accepting bribes. A second Guard member was questioned but not arrested.
The incident deepens concerns amid ongoing staffing shortages and unrest in New York prisons. A recent strike by correction officers, fueled by safety concerns and limits on solitary confinement, has left facilities dangerously understaffed.
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