GUARD ARRESTED IN DRUG CASE

A 28-year-old correctional officer at the U.S. Penitentiary, Lompoc has
been arrested on suspicion of accepting a bribe to smuggle drugs into the
prison, according to the FBI.

John Scott Brooks of Lompoc was arrested in Santa Maria Jan. 8 without
incident and booked into the Santa Maria County Jail, according to the FBI.
He is currently being held without bail.

The investigation began in October and involved allegations that Brooks
accepted cash to smuggle marijuana into the penitentiary, according to a
statement by the FBI. Also involved in the investigation were the Santa
Barbara Regional Narcotic Enforcement Team and investigators from the prison.

FBI Special Agent Ed Miller of the Santa Maria office would not comment on
whether more arrests are expected or the location of Brooks' arrest.

Brooks was arrested by agents from the Santa Maria FBI office assisted by
the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department, Santa Maria police and the
California Highway Patrol.

If convicted, Brooks faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a
fine. He will be scheduled for a hearing before U.S. Magistrate Willard
McEwen Jr. in Santa Barbara.