Alexis Wafstet, 46, walks out of court after admitting guilt to introducing contraband in the second degree at the Snohomish County Courthouse on Oct. 5. Wafstet pleaded guilty for smuggling narcotics into the jail, according to her employer, the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Alexis Wafstet, 46, walks out of court after admitting guilt to introducing contraband in the second degree at the Snohomish County Courthouse on Oct. 5. Wafstet pleaded guilty for smuggling narcotics into the jail, according to her employer, the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

Former Snohomish County Jail worker guilty of drug smuggling

Alexis Wafstet, of Everett, admitted she brought opioids to inmates.

EVERETT — A former Snohomish County Jail employee has pleaded guilty to a felony for smuggling opioids to inmates.

Alexis Wafstet, 46, of Everett, admitted guilt to introducing contraband in the second degree Tuesday in Snohomish County Superior Court.

She worked as a classification specialist at the jail from 2014 to 2020, according to the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office. In that position, she was tasked with deciding housing situations for those behind bars.

On May 3, 2020, the Snohomish Regional Drug Task Force was alerted to possible drug smuggling in the jail, according to charging papers. More than 10 detectives on the task force worked on the case to identify the smuggler. Detectives reviewed hours of phone calls, video chats and messages between six inmates, as well as their communications with people outside the jail.

Detectives found two inmates in possession of buprenorphine, a narcotic opioid.

While reviewing phone calls made in Spanish, a corrections deputy heard references to an “older lady” who worked as a counselor at the jail and lived nearby. The deputy also listened to a phone call in which an inmate asked for an update on “presents” that were supposed to arrive.

The same corrections deputy recalled Wafstet lived nearby, because he once gave her a ride to work in a snowstorm.

Detectives interviewed Wafstet. At first she claimed not to know anything about drugs being smuggled into the jail, according to the charges.

Wafstet went on to tell detectives she had been threatened by a man who was not in jail. He wore a blue bandana over his face and showed her a picture of her 24-year-old son, she said. He gave her a note, ordering her to do what he said or her son could be hurt, according to her account. Wafstet later reported meeting with the man at a QFC by her house. He gave her something wrapped in a rubber glove, and was told to give it to an inmate in the jail. She assumed it was drugs, she told police.

The jail employee also reportedly said she brought the inmate another package on a different day but didn’t know what was inside.

Wafstet was arrested for investigation of possessing heroin and other drugs. She was booked into jail May 12, 2020. At the time, she was under investigation for smuggling narcotics into the jail at least three times, according to the sheriff’s office.

After she was charged with possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, the Everett woman resigned from her position in December 2020. A landmark state Supreme Court ruling in State v. Blake effectively made the simple possession charge moot. Prosecutors amended the charges to a single count of introducing contraband.

Under state guidelines, she faces a standard sentencing range of one to three months behind bars.

Wafstet was not required to post bail as she awaited court hearings, and she remained out of jail last week.

Sentencing is set for Nov. 8.

Ellen Dennis: 425-339-3486; edennis@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @reporterellen

Talk to us

More in Local News

FILE - A sign hangs at a Taco Bell on May 23, 2014, in Mount Lebanon, Pa. Declaring a mission to liberate "Taco Tuesday" for all, Taco Bell asked U.S. regulators Tuesday, May 16, 2023, to force Wyoming-based Taco John's to abandon its longstanding claim to the trademark. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
Hepatitis A confirmed in Taco Bell worker in Everett, Lake Stevens

The health department sent out a public alert for diners at two Taco Bells on May 22 or 23.

VOLLI’s Director of Food & Beverage Kevin Aiello outside of the business on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coming soon to Marysville: indoor pickleball, games, drinks

“We’re very confident this will be not just a hit, but a smash hit,” says co-owner Allan Jones, who is in the fun industry.

Everett
Detectives: Unresponsive baby was exposed to fentanyl at Everett hotel

An 11-month-old boy lost consciousness Tuesday afternoon. Later, the infant and a twin sibling both tested positive for fentanyl.

Cassie Franklin (left) and Nick Harper (right)
Report: No wrongdoing in Everett mayor’s romance with deputy mayor

An attorney hired by the city found no misuse of public funds. Texts between the two last year, however, were not saved on their personal phones.

Firearm discovered by TSA officers at Paine Field Thursday morning, May 11, 2023, during routine X-ray screening at the security checkpoint. (Transportation Security Administration)
3 guns caught by TSA at Paine Field this month — all loaded

Simple travel advice: Unpack before you pack to make sure there’s not a gun in your carry-on.

Heavy traffic northbound on 1-5 in Everett, Washington on August 31, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
To beat the rush this Memorial Day weekend, go early or late

AAA projects busy airports, ferries and roads over the holiday weekend this year, though still below pre-pandemic counts.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Troopers: DUI crash leaves 1 in critical condition in Maltby

A drunken driver, 34, was arrested after her pickup rear-ended another truck late Tuesday, injuring a Snohomish man, 28.

Housing Hope CEO Donna Moulton raises her hand in celebration of the groundbreaking of the Housing Hope Madrona Highlands on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
$30M affordable housing project to start construction soon in Edmonds

Once built, dozens of families who are either homeless or in poverty will move in and receive social and work services.

Gary Fontes uprights a tree that fell over in front of The Fontes Manor — a miniature handmade bed and breakfast — on Friday, May 12, 2023, at his home near Silver Lake in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett’s mini-Frank Lloyd Wright builds neighborhood of extra tiny homes

A tiny lighthouse, a spooky mansion and more: Gary Fontes’ miniature world of architectural wonders is one-twelfth the size of real life.

Most Read