Detention center officer arrested

A Curry County Adult Detention Center officer was arrested Thursday in connection with an investigation into drug smuggling at the jail, according to the Curry County Sheriff’s Office.

Charlie Aguirre Jr., 23, was arrested Thursday and charged with bringing contraband into the jail, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and attempt to commit a felony. His bond was set at $11,000.

He was released Thursday on $11,000 bond, jail officials said.

Surveillance cameras captured Aguirre Jr. delivering narcotics and contraband to inmates, a press release said.

A telephone listing for him could not be found.

He is the fourth detention center officer this year charged with smuggling drugs into the jail.

According to the release:

• Aguirre’s arrest stemmed from an investigation that began July 1 when a citizen provided deputies with information regarding inmates receiving narcotics and contraband.

• Investigators learned from phone conversations an inmate was making arrangements with a female to package and deliver narcotics and contraband to the detention center.

• Aguirre was participating by receiving the packages and delivering them to inmates.

• Aguirre was terminated from the detention center after his arrest.

• Other aspects of the investigation are ongoing and more arrests are anticipated.

Julian Patrick Garcia, 36, was arrested July 7 in connection with the same investigation, according Curry County Undersheriff Wesley Waller.

Aguirre had been with the detention center almost five years and was earning a salary of more than $26,000, county records show.