PRISON GUARD ARRESTED IN DRUG SMUGGLING CASE

LILLINGTON - A state prison guard was arrested on drug charges Wednesday
after trying to smuggle marijuana into the Harnett Correctional
Institution, according to a Sheriff's Office report.

William Earl Faison II was charged with felony possession of marijuana,
possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana and possession of a
controlled substance. He is 29 and lives on Webster Drive in Dunn. Bail was
set at $150,000.

He is accused of trying to smuggle 146.5 grams of marijuana into the
Harnett County prison, an arrest report said. Sheriff Larry Rollins said
the prison asked the Harnett County Drug Task Force to search Faison and
his 1992 Nissan Stanza. He was arrested at the prison after the drugs were
found, Rollins said. His car was impounded.

Mildred Spearman, a spokeswoman for the N.C. Department of Correction, said
she could not comment on the arrest because it is a personnel matter.

Faison started as a prison guard in Harnett County on June 3, 2002. He
resigned Wednesday, Spearman said. His salary was $24,007. He received a
$1,113 pay raise on June 1.