A 20-year-old female detention officer from Arizona was arrested last week after a jail crimes investigation found she had sex with an inmate while on duty, smuggled drugs and contraband to the inmate and provided an AK-47 assault rifle to a teen after he got out of jail, according to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.
Wanek was booked into Estrella Jail on 57 felony and misdemeanor charges with no bond. The investigation started several months ago after jail crimes investigators learned she had a sexual relationship with an inmate, 30-year-old Joshua Lopez, officials said.
She also smuggled in methamphetamine, marijuana, alcohol and other contraband such as batteries and cigarettes into the Lower Buckeye Jail for Lopez, said Sheriff Joe Arpaio.
She is also accused of giving an assault rifle to a teen she met while he in Madison Street Jail. She then told police the gun had been stolen, Arpaio said.
Wanek may also have helped prison gang members, including members of the New Mexican Mafia, organize criminal activities, Arpaio said.
The hiring age for detention officers was lowered from 21 to 18 years old, which drew some criticism at the time. But Arpaio said Wanek's age shouldn't have anything to do with her actions.
Wanek resigned months ago after becoming suspicious about the investigation, Arpaio said. Now, she is charged with unlawful sexual conduct, promoting prison contraband, participation in or assisting a criminal syndicate, tampering with public records, false reporting and misconduct involving weapons. The inmate, Lopez, is also being charged with promoting contraband and unlawful sexual conduct.