One-time officer of the year arrested on drug charges

Saturday, Feb. 8, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

Anthony Fernandez, a senior corrections officer, was arrested after a search of his home resulted in the confiscation of about two ounces of marijuana, The Humboldt Sun reported on Friday.

Fernandez, 48, has been employed at the camp here since 1991 and was honored as the county's law officer of the year that year after spotting an escaped camp inmate in Reno and chasing him down on foot.

Camp Lt. Mark Andrews, who was instrumental in gaining the commendation for Fernandez in 1991, also played a significant role in the guard's arrest after being told the officer was involved in drugs.

"I think it brings down the integrity of the department and casts a shadow on all law enforcement officers," he said. "They see people every day doing time for this sort of thing. If that's not a deterrent, I don't know what is."

Fernandez was booked into the Humboldt County Detention Facility on Wednesday under $7,100 bail and charged with possession of marijuana for sale, based largely on the way it was packaged, according to Lt. Mike Allen of the Nevada Division of Investigation.

Fernandez also was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia.