Seal Beach Jail Guard Convicted For Taking Cash, iPad As Bribes
WESTMINSTER (CBS) — A former detention center officer at the Seal Beach City Jail was sentenced to two years in state prison for accepting bribes, including cash and an iPad, in exchange for allowing an inmate contraband and prohibited visitor contact.
Jose Alday, 33, of Santa Ana, pleaded guilty to a felony count of an officer receiving bribes, a felony count of possession for sale of a controlled substance and a misdemeanor count of possession of controlled substance paraphernalia, according to the Orange County District Attorney's Office. Alday was ordered to forfeit his employment at the Seal Beach City Jail, to pay $3,000 in restitution and was barred from ever holding public office or employment in the state of California.
Alday worked as a non-sworn detention center officer at the Seal Beach City Jail for about four years.
Prosecutors say Alday accepted bribes from an inmate on multiple occasions between July 1, 2011 and Dec. 25, 2011. Alday allowed unsearched visitors to bring contraband, including alcohol, into the jail for the inmate when he was working alone and other officers were not present, prosecutors said.
In exchange for allowing the unauthorized visits and contraband, Alday received cash, an iPad, a cell phone, two leather jackets and other items that were brought to him by the inmate's visitors, prosecutors said.
Alday was arrested at work Dec. 25 by Seal Beach police officers. At the time of his arrest, Alday was in possession of a substantial amount of anabolic steroids. Officers searching Alday's home found a used methamphetamine pipe, prosecutors said.
