Prison counselor in Arizona alleged to have smuggled drugs and cellphones to inmates

An Arizona corrections officer, who also serves as a state prison counselor, is facing allegations of smuggling drugs and cellphones into the facility for inmates. It is believed that the officer received payment of up to $5,000 per trip for these illegal activities, reportedly with the assistance of an inmate’s significant other.

Authorities have charged 38-year-old Berman Joseph Comon with multiple felony charges for his alleged involvement in smuggling contraband into the Lewis prison unit in Buckeye.

According to court records, detectives discovered a significant amount of contraband being discovered at the prison. As the investigation unfolded, detectives uncovered the fact that inmates were utilizing Comon’s office as a hub for packaging drugs to be sold within the prison yard.

In April 2024, an investigation was initiated after a prison worker conducted a cell search on an inmate. During the search, small pieces of paper with Cash App handles were discovered. Investigators believe that these handles had been used in the past to facilitate the transfer of money for illicit drugs.

According to court documents, inmates frequently have an accomplice who manages their Cash App account to evade detection by law enforcement, especially in cases involving significant deposits into bank accounts.

During the investigation, detectives discovered a total of 13 message conversations that involved a request to send $1,050 through the Cash App. Further search warrants revealed that $16,000 was found, with almost all of it being linked to prison inmates. Moreover, it was discovered that the recipient of the money had a connection to a Capital One card owned by the significant other of an inmate.

In June, detectives received a report regarding a handwritten letter found in a mailbox. The letter revealed that a corrections officer, who had recently left the yard, was allegedly meeting with someone referred to as “Sinner’s girl” and bringing in drugs in exchange for $5,000.

In November, it is stated that Comon entered the unit carrying a cup from “Quiktrip”. He strategically placed the cup near the wall, away from the body scanners. Comon successfully passed through the metal detector and the correctional officers without any issues. Without following the required protocol, Comon swiftly grabbed the cup without sending it through the necessary scanner.

A few minutes later, Comon walked into a cell block and then exited to the building’s “H” section, which is known to have no cameras. Authorities say he was observed bringing an inmate into that area before escorting them back without the large white cup.

Detectives found Comon’s behavior to be highly unusual since he belongs to a different unit and there would be no work-related justification for him to extract an inmate from another unit.

Authorities maintained surveillance for several weeks following the discovery of a suspicious rendezvous involving an unknown inmate, who had a reputation for drug trafficking within the prison. During this period, they observed Comon meeting with an associate of the inmate at a Walmart. Comon received two bags from the associate before driving back.

On December 31, after finishing his shift, Comon left the prison and made a stop at a Love’s Truck Stop before heading home. Shortly after, according to documents, he came back to the prison holding a Love’s Cup containing a red/pink colored liquid. Once again, he attempted to sneak the cup past the scanner.

Comon then enters a cell block, exits the cell block, and discards the cup in the trash can. Following this, a security sergeant proceeds to search the trash can, where they discover plastic-wrapped packages containing red and pink liquid residue.

Detectives discovered a total of three packages containing a substance known as “black tar.” Upon testing, it was determined that the substance contained fentanyl, carfentanil, and heroin. In addition to the drugs, a separate package inside the cup was found to contain four cellphones, with an estimated value exceeding $83,000.

On January 3, Comon was taken into custody when he allegedly attempted to bypass the metal detector due to possessing a modified phone charger. According to investigators, this type of item is often discovered on inmates who have managed to smuggle in cell phones.

During the search at Comon’s residence, detectives discovered a sum of $4,460 in cash alongside 100 steroid pills, along with various drug packaging materials.

Detectives executed a search warrant on Joy Cuevas, the alleged drug supplier. During the search, they discovered “prison-style” phones and SIM cards, as well as a package wrapped in electrical tape. This package was later confirmed to contain heroin.

During the interview, Cuevas confessed to her intention of supplying the drugs to Comon at a later time. She revealed that she had recently met up with him to hand over the prohibited packages. Additionally, she disclosed that Comon used to receive $5,000 per trip but had recently reduced his fee to $4,000. Furthermore, Cuevas admitted to collecting money via Cash App on behalf of the inmate’s drug sales.

Comon has firmly denied any involvement in the alleged crimes and is now facing a series of charges. These charges include promoting prison contraband, money laundering, illegal control of an enterprise, possession of dangerous drugs for sale, transporting narcotics, and conspiracy.

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