By Gary Klien
Contra Costa Times
SAN QUENTIN, Calif. — A former San Quentin employee could face up to six years in prison on charges of bringing marijuana to sell to a prisoner, a county prosecutor said.
Robert Alioto, 48, of Petaluma is scheduled to be arraigned Monday on charges of bringing a controlled substance into a state prison, selling or furnishing a controlled substance to a prisoner and possession of marijuana for sale, said Deputy District Attorney Tom Brown.
Alioto, a warehouse supervisor who was not a sworn correctional officer, was arrested at San Quentin on Oct. 5 by investigators with the state prison department. The initial allegations included conspiracy and taking or accepting bribes, but prosecutors did not file those charges.
The investigation is continuing, and authorities declined to comment on whether Alioto is suspected of selling drugs to one prisoner or more, and whether there are other potential suspects in the case.
Alioto is free on bail. Brooke Halsey, a lawyer for Alioto, said he intends to plead not guilty.
“We believe there’s mitigating factors we’ll bring to light. He’s been fully cooperative,” Halsey said. “We’re hopeful for an early outcome. We’ll know more once we get the reports.”
A prison spokesman said Alioto has been fired from the warehouse job. He started working for the prison in June 2010.
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