Two detention officers charged with smuggling tobacco to inmates

SALISBURY — Two detention officers with the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office have been arrested for allegedly bringing contraband into the Rowan County Detention Center.

Deputies began an investigation into 26-year-old Zachary Orion McIntyre and 36-year-old Dustin Keith Swaim earlier in the year after receiving initial reports of suspicious activity and contraband being brought into the facility, according to a release from the sheriff’s office. On Tuesday, July 9, a lieutenant in the detention center reportedly found contraband in an inmate’s cell which included cigarettes, lighters and dipping tobacco.

Detectives suspected that Swaim was supplying the contraband and searched him, finding an additional pack of cigarettes in his uniform, according to the release. He allegedly admitted that he had been bringing the contraband in during an interview with the detectives.

Swaim was arrested and charged with willfully failing to discharge his duties and providing tobacco to an inmate. McIntyre was arrested as well and charged with willfully failing to discharge his duties.

Both Swaim and McIntyre were fired by the sheriff’s office and placed in the detention center, with Swaim receiving a $10,000 bond and McIntyre receiving a $10,000 bond.

“We here at the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office take pride in professionalism and holding ourselves to a high standard. We do not and will not tolerate illegal activity among our detention officers and deputies. These two detention officers not only compromised the safety of inmates but were a severe safety risk to their fellow detention officers. There is no room at this office for those who would break the law and betray the trust of the citizens of Rowan County. The citizens of Rowan County can rest assured that the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office will always be forthcoming and transparent in matters such as these,” said Sheriff Travis Allen.

The inmate who was found with the contraband, 38-year-old William Jack Daniel Upright, was charged with possession of tobacco by an inmate. Upright has been in the detention center since November of 2023 for failure to appear or comply, according to the release.

“I would like to thank the great men and women who continue to serve at the Rowan County Detention Center. They have a difficult job and often go unrecognized for all the good work that they do. The arrest of these two detention officers in no way casts a shadow on the vigilant service that our remaining detention officers continue to provide to our county,” said Allen.

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