DEER LODGE – A former corrections officer with the Montana State Prison was sentenced to the Department of Corrections for sneaking contraband into the state prison in Deer Lodge.

Judge Ray Dayton sentenced 24-year-old Nicole Dyer to 13 months with the Department of Corrections with seven months suspended from that sentence. She pleaded guilty to sneaking a cell phone to an inmate in June of 2016 while working at the prison.

Prosecutors say Dyer was corrupted by inmate Alfred Joseph Smith, a 36-year-old man with an extensive criminal record. Earlier that same day, Judge Dayton sentenced Smith to 13 months for his role in the conspiracy.

Prosecutors say inmates enticed Dyer to bring the cell phone to them to make it easier for them to get drugs into the prison.

Judge Dayton said her actions put staff, inmates and other personnel in the prison in danger. He added that she violated the public trust.

-John Emeigh reporting for MTN News