Las Vegas Sun

February 11, 2012

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Prison guard fired for smuggling pillow, air mattress

Friday, June 5, 2009 | 10:19 a.m.

CARSON CITY – The firing of a correctional officer for bringing “non-intoxicant contraband” into the High Desert State Prison in Southern Nevada has been upheld.

The “non-intoxicant contraband” in this case was a pillow, pillow case and a deflated air mattress. Acting on a tip, prison officials found the items hidden in a ceiling panel in one of the towers at the prison.

The discovery led to the firing of eight-year veteran officer Scott Rebik, who was assigned to that tower to watch for security breaches.

Prison officials believe he was sleeping on duty. He denied the allegation.

He said he brought the pillow and pillow case in for his medical condition of rectal fissure. And he said he used the air mattress to do sit-ups in order to stay fit and to keep alert.

State Hearing Officer Ann Elworth-Winner denied Rebik’s for reinstatement, saying his testimony was “entirely incredible with respect to the purpose for which the contraband items were brought into the institution.”

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