A former Green Hill School corrections employee again faces charges for allegedly selling methamphetamine and other contraband to an incarcerated individual at the juvenile facility.
The allegations are the same ones he faced in 2024 before the case was dismissed.
Eddie A. Zavala, 38, of Olympia, is charged with possession of a controlled substance by a non-prisoner, second-degree introducing contraband and delivery of a controlled substance.
Zavala made a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Thursday, April 16, after receiving a court summons. He remains out of custody on a $15,000 unsecured bond.
Prosecutors initially filed charges against Zavala on Aug. 1, 2024.
The probable cause affidavit alleged that on June 15, 2024, Zavala was captured on video removing something from his pocket and giving it to an incarcerated individual.
According to the affidavit, Green Hill staff searched the incarcerated person and his room and found “lighters, used tin foil, and substances that were consistent with methamphetamine.”
Staff also reportedly found a ledger listing Zavala’s home address.
According to the affidavit, Zavala allegedly “admitted that he would bring things in for (the inmate),” adding that “the inmates would send him money via Cashapp.”
During the investigation, Chehalis police reportedly received Zavala’s permission to search his phone, where they discovered that $400 had been transferred to Zavala from an inmate.
At the time, Zavala allegedly said he was “struggling” financially, according to the affidavit.
Police arrested Zavala and booked him into the Lewis County Jail on July 31, 2024. He pleaded not guilty to the charges on Aug. 8, 2024. A jury trial was scheduled for that October.
On Oct. 15, 2024, Lewis County Chief Deputy Prosecutor William Halstead filed a motion to dismiss the charges without prejudice, reserving the right to refile at a later date.
The court ordered the dismissal.
On April 8, 2026, the prosecutor’s office refiled the charges against Zavala.
Zavala is now scheduled for an arraignment and trial confirmation on April 23.
