A former employee at Wisconsin’s Waupun Correctional Institution, a maximum-security prison under federal investigation, has pleaded guilty to smuggling contraband into the facility. The prison has faced scrutiny for alleged smuggling operations involving staff and a string of inmate deaths.
Guilty Plea in Smuggling Scheme
William Lee Homan, 47, of Fox Lake, Wisconsin, pleaded guilty in federal court on Thursday to a charge of conspiracy to commit bribery related to programs receiving federal funds, according to court records. Homan was employed as a facilities repair worker at Waupun Correctional Institution when he smuggled items, including cellphones, tobacco, and controlled substances, into the prison in exchange for payments from inmates and their associates.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin reported that Homan received 125 payments totaling over $53,000 between July 2022 and September 2023. Inmates or their associates used the Cash App to transfer money to Homan, who would hide the contraband in his pants while entering the prison.
Sentencing Set for December
Homan’s sentencing is scheduled for December 12, with the charge carrying a potential maximum sentence of five years in federal prison. His attorney has not yet commented on the case, according to reports.
Federal Investigation and Prison Troubles
Waupun Correctional Institution, the oldest maximum-security prison in Wisconsin, has been under a federal investigation since March 2023. Gov. Tony Evers’ office confirmed the probe, which led to the suspension of nearly a dozen prison employees. The investigation came amid concerns of a smuggling ring involving prison staff.
The prison has also experienced a series of inmate deaths, with five occurring since June 2023. Causes of death included suicides, a fentanyl overdose, a stroke, and one case of malnutrition and dehydration.
Former Warden and Staff Facing Charges
In June, prosecutors charged former Waupun warden Randall Hepp and eight other staff members with misconduct in connection to two of the deaths—one from a stroke and the other from malnutrition. Inmates at the facility have also filed a class-action lawsuit alleging mistreatment, including denial of access to adequate healthcare.
