Charges filed against a now former Massachusetts correction officer for allegedly supplying narcotics in prison

DEDHAM, MA – Norfolk County Sheriff Patrick W. McDermott announced today that the Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office has filed drug conspiracy charges against five people including a now former correction officer, two justice involved individuals held at the agency’s correctional center in Dedham, and two women known to those men.

The charges stem from an investigation launched by the NCSO on Thursday, August 1st after receiving intelligence of alleged illegal activity involving a probationary corrections officer who was hired in April 2024 after undergoing a criminal background check, screenings, and training.

“The Norfolk County Sheriff’s acted immediately after receiving the intelligence. That officer was confronted that day, before the start of his shift and he admitted to providing the narcotics to the offenders on Monday, July 29th,” said Sheriff McDermott. “He was immediately placed on leave, escorted off the property, and terminated on August 2nd.”

The drug involved is Suboxone, which contains buprenorphine and naloxone. Suboxone is one of the main medications used to treat opioid addiction and a common contraband item in correctional facilities across the United States. NCSO investigators found 238 strips of Suboxone hidden in two pomade containers taken from the offenders’ cells during the investigation. The approximate value of those strips in a correctional setting is $47,600.

Based on surveillance video, interviews, and an electronic review of phone calls, NCSO investigators determined that five people were involved in the alleged criminal conspiracy.

 Correction Officer Jean Guirand, DOB 07/08/1984, Saugus, MA.
 Offender Dante Clarke, DOB 6/22/1999, Dorchester, MA
 Offender Cornel Bell, DOB 6/8/1995, Quincy, MA
 Avelina Faustin, DOB 2/4/2004, Brockton, MA
 Amaya Rogers, DOB 6/26/1997, Boston, MA

Complaints seeking charges of Conspiracy, Delivering Drugs to a Correctional Facility, and Possession of a Class B Substance with Intent to Distribute against all five suspects were filed in Dedham District Court on August 23, 2024.

“This officer betrayed the honor of the men and women who serve with honesty and integrity as dedicated correction officers in Norfolk County,” said Sheriff McDermott. “We hold all staff to high standards. We strive to hire men and women of good character to ensure those who are hired by our agency and those entrusted to lead it are grounded in the foundation of our mission and values.”

NCSO investigators say the case dates back to about a week prior to July 29th. Guirand told NCSO investigators he was approached by Clarke to “bring something in for me.” During an interview on August 1st, Guirand told investigators he initially declined to help, but changed his mind when he was told by Clarke that he would be paid $5,000, which he said he never received. Guirand told investigators he was not coerced to help the offenders, and said he was not sure why he was recruited by them.

Guirand said he was initially told by Clarke that the drug would be K2. NCSO investigators say the Suboxone strips were hidden inside Wendy’s fast-food bag handed to him by Rogers in the parking lot of the correctional facility on the night of July 29th. Guirand told NCSO investigators he then concealed the drugs between some trash bags when he returned to the offenders’ housing unit, and later handed those bags to Clarke. NCSO investigators say they determined that Faustin had gained access to the narcotics at the direction of Clarke and Bell and that Faustin had given them to Rogers for drop off, after Faustin had failed earlier in the day to get the narcotics and the money to Guirand.

All of the suspects have been summoned to Dedham District Court for hearings in early October.