Jail Nurse From Temecula Suspected of Smuggling Contraband to Inmate Lover

A nurse arrested for allegedly smuggling contraband to an inmate with whom she was sexually involved at the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside was released Thursday on $5,000 bail.

Michelle Jaren Hayashi, 35, of Temecula is suspected of engaging in multiple illegal acts going back more than a month, according to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

Hayashi was arrested Wednesday afternoon on suspicion of possession of controlled substances, having unlawful sexual contact with an inmate, bringing a mobile phone into a jail and maintaining unauthorized communication with a prisoner.

According to sheriff's Lt. Don Sharp, the Robert Presley jail anti-gang team began looking into a potential smuggling operation after a cell phone was seized from an inmate on April 21.

Sharp said deputies learned that Hayashi, who works as a nurse in the detention services unit, was determined to be the alleged source of the phone, having provided it to the inmate, with whom she was romantically involved.

The suspect also allegedly brought prescription medication into the facility, though Sharp did not disclose what type.

Hayashi was arrested at the jail without incident and booked into the facility, but posted bond after an overnight stay.

— City News Service.