McNeil Island crack-smuggling scheme thwarted

McNeil Island crack-smuggling scheme thwarted
By The Associated Press

Federal and state authorities say they've foiled a conspiracy to bring crack cocaine into Washington's sex offender lockup on McNeil Island.

Two people have been arrested this week — Paepaega Matautia Jr., a 39-year-old employee of the Special Commitment Center, and Lawrence Williams, a 50-year-old resident.

The U.S. attorney's office in Seattle says Matautia delivered cocaine to Williams in the facility's mail room on eight occasions, and that the case was cracked with the help of a confidential informant.

Matautia made his initial appearance in federal court Thursday on a charge of attempted cocaine possession with attempt to distribute. Williams, who was arrested Friday, was expected to appear Monday on a charge of conspiracy to distribute crack cocaine.

"We knew about this investigation, and we cooperated fully," said Steve Williams, a spokesman for the state Department of Social and Health Services, which runs the commitment center. "We have no tolerance for this sort of thing."

Matautia worked as a mailroom security officer, helping to ensure residents don't receive contraband through the mail, Steve Williams said. The man cleared a background check before he was hired in December 2003.

His attorney, Phil Brennan, said Friday he had just received the case and had no immediate comment.

Lawrence Williams was admitted to the commitment center in August 2002. He was convicted of first-degree rape with a deadly weapon in 1980.

It was not immediately clear if Lawrence Williams had been assigned a lawyer.