Dannemora guard charged with promoting prison contraband

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Police say arrest follows investigation of June 6 breakout by Matt, Sweat

PLATTSBURGH — A guard from the Clinton Correctional Facility has been arrested for his alleged role in aiding the escape of two inmates from the maximum security prison in Dannemora on June 6.

Gene E. Palmer, 57, of Dannemora appeared in Plattsburgh Town Court late Wednesday on felony charges of promoting prison contraband and two counts of tampering with physical evidence. He also is charged with official misconduct, a misdemeanor.

He was held on $25,000 bail pending his formal arraignment Thursday night.

At the court's request, he turned over his multiple weapons stored at his home to a relative. Clinton County District Attorney Andrew Wylie was concerned for Palmer's mental health and asked that he be detained. Palmer's lawyer Andrew Brockway asked the judge to release Palmer on his own recognizance because his wife is sick, but the judge said due to the nature of the charges Palmer should be held.

http://www.timesunion.com/news/article/CNN-reports-Dannemora-prison-guard-arrested-6347695.php



Gene E. Palmer, 57, of Dannemora appeared in Plattsburgh Town Court late Wednesday, June 24, 2015, on felony charges of promoting prison contraband and two counts of tampering with physical evidence. He was held on $25,000 bail pending his formal arraignment Thursday night. (Keshia Clukey/Times Union)