Officials with the Indiana Department of Correction report that an employee of the Westville Correctional Facility is facing two felony charges after allegedly attempting to traffic with an offender.
According to an Indiana DOC press release, 25-year-old Charles L. Halbert, of Gary, began working at the facility as a Correctional Officer in August of 2018.
Police report that when Halbert came in for his shift, he was met by the facility’s Correctional Police Officers from the Office of Investigators and Intelligence. He was escorted to the Office of Investigations and Intelligence for an interview and consented to a search.
At that time, officers reportedly discovered strips of Suboxone in his possession. Authorities say that Halbert was placed under arrest for the level 5 felony of attempting to traffic a controlled substance and the level 6 felony of official misconduct.
Halbert was transported to the La Porte County Jail without incident and was booked shortly after 8:20 a.m. on January 10th.
Westville Correction Facility Warden Mark Sevier stated that the incredible quality of work that the Investigations and Intelligence staff provide to combat trafficking is unmatched. He added that everyone benefits when they’re able to interdict contraband from coming into the facility.
