A former staff member at the Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility is facing felony charges after allegedly smuggling tobacco into the prison and profiting thousands of dollars from the scheme, according to police.
Joseph Martens, 32, of Keokuk, was arrested last month and charged with ongoing criminal conduct, a Class B felony, and possession of contraband in a correctional facility, a Class D felony. Authorities say Martens conspired with others to bring tobacco into the prison between October and December of 2024.
Martens was booked into the Henry County Jail on April 26, 2025, on a warrant related to the charges. He posted bond later that same day.
According to a criminal complaint, Martens received approximately $3,500 in exchange for supplying tobacco to an inmate. The scheme reportedly involved multiple individuals, some of whom used mobile payment apps to exchange money, while others helped distribute the tobacco once it was inside the prison.
When KILJ News Director, Hayden Douglas contacted the correctional facility, he received this response from Zach Carlyle, Communication Specialist with Iowa Department of Corrections Central Office:
Good morning Hayden,
Thank you for reaching out to us. The Iowa Department of Corrections does not comment on open investigations or personnel matters. Thank you for your inquiry, and don’t hesitate to reach out in the future. Have a great day!
The case remains under investigation. This is the second arrest of a Mount Pleasant Correctional Facility employee since the new year.
This incident adds to growing concerns over contraband being brought into Mount Pleasant’s correctional facilities.