Las Vegas, NV – A Nevada Department of Corrections (NDOC) officer was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly smuggling cellphones into prison, according to the department.

LaWayne Hardiman was booked into Clark County Detention Center on suspicion of two counts of bribery of a public official and six counts of attempting to furnish a cell phone to a state prisoner.

NDOC Director James Dzurenda said the arrest was part of a statewide initiative “to crack down on contraband” in prisons.

“We applaud our staff’s commitment to remaining vigilant in upholding security measures and reporting suspicious activity,” Dzurenda said in a statement.

Hardiman was arrested by the Office of the Inspector General. FOX5 has requested additional documents regarding the arrest.

According to NDOC, Hardiman was initially hired as a correctional officer trainee in December 2020. He resigned in February 2022 and was later reinstated as a civil servant on October 16, 2023, with a one-year probationary period. NDOC confirmed his employment was terminated on the day of his arrest.

Credits: Fox5Vegas