ECI affidavits show CO Waters may have been key player

smuggling operation at eastern correction institution in westover. 47 abc’s julian sadur has been on the story since it broke yesterday. he joins us in studio tonight – with more information on one of the 18 correctional officers named in the indictments — who apparently could have been a big player in the operation. that’s right dave – i’ve spent the entire day going through one of the two affidavits. and although i’m not through uncovering all the information these documents lay out – it appears a robert waters – of salisbury – a corrections officer at e-c-i could be — as you mentioned – one of the key components of this alleged drug smuggling conspiracy. one cooperating witness saying waters allegedly received 15- hundred dollars per trip – andwould make approximately two to three trips per week when he was on shift. meaning waters could have been walking away with an extra 45 hundred dollars a week for his activity . track these documents – show robert waters of salisbury – may have have been one of the correctional officers that brought in large quantities of contraband into the eastern correctional institution — the affidavit saying eugene bowen – father of prisoner orlando bowen – would quote deliver the items to co waters for co waters to smuggle into e-c-i. those items including suboxone strips – wrist watches – and k2 – synthetic marijuana. the affidavit also shows that waters may have been working with people as far as baltimore – to acquire contraband by request of an inmate named zachary martin – who went by the alias — dice. dice allegedly had connections to four or more people that would work purchase and pay for synthetic weed in the city – then transfer it to waters f or him to get back to dice. all the money used for these transactions — was transferred through pay pal. also reportedly enlisted in waters’ operation – darren dale of salisbury. court documents showing dale had conversations with those in the city to decide when and where to pick up the contraband – and then would makesubsequent trips to meet up with them the most telling though on just how much contraband waters was moving — may have come earlier this year – when waters was pulled over for speeding in talbot county. the documents showing that during the traffic stop – waters was found to have 91 packages of synthetic marijuana. waters was charged with possession of a controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute – a felony charge – a two other lesser misdemeanor charges. all were not prosecuted when asked why – the talbot county states attorneys office said they were not at liberty to discuss the matter because of waters federal indictment. now the affidavit goes on to read that waters would keep his job at e-c-i after the arrest. a call to the state department of corrections cleared up why that was. they told me because of the correctional officers bill of rights – since waters wasn’t convicted – he was allowed to go on paid administrative leave while he attended drug classes. they also told me that waters was set to have an administrative hearing about his employment status – but that hearing was pending. now as we mentioned yesterday — all 18 correctional officers involved in this case are now on unpaid leave – pending their day in court. dave – back to you . thanks julian – that’s julian sadur reporting live in studio tonight. we also learned today from federal officials that all but two of the 80 people indicted yesterday have been released by federal pre trial services – except for the inmates who were already locked up. it appears the state of maryland will