Bowie maintains her innocence in DOC contraband case

Regina Visitacion Camacho Bowie, 37, is maintaining her innocence in a case involving an alleged handoff of contraband outside the Department of Corrections, with her lawyer entering a not guilty plea on her behalf in Superior Court.

Chief Public Defender Douglas Hartig entered the plea before Presiding Judge Robert C. Naraja last April 6, waiving Bowie’s reading of advisement of rights.

Bowie, who was out on bail and dressed in civilian clothes during the hearing, faces charges of promoting major prison contraband, promoting minor prison contraband, and trafficking a controlled substance. Assistant attorney general David Karch appeared for the government.

Court documents filed by Department of Public Safety Det. Jonathan Joe N. Aguon allege Bowie handed a plastic bag to Corrections officer Cleon Otto Reyes Pacho in the DOC parking lot on March 24 following a surveillance operation prompted by a tip.

Authorities later stopped the vehicle she was riding in and arrested her, while internal affairs officers intercepted Pacho and recovered the bag.

Investigators said the bag contained suspected methamphetamine, marijuana, and other prohibited items. In separate statements, Bowie told police she was instructed by her boyfriend to deliver food and drinks to an officer, while Pacho said he believed the package contained only food for an inmate.

Bowie is scheduled to return to court on May 18 at 10am before Associate Judge Teresa Kim-Tenorio for a status conference.