Charges Filed Against Food Services Employee Who Snuck Drugs Into Manatee Jail: Sheriff

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — A Food Services employee faces charges after sneaking drugs into Manatee County Jail, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.

Gretchen Rupprecht, 64, has been charged with two counts of introduction of contraband. She was arrested Friday morning without incident, the sheriff’s office said.

On Sunday morning, a team of deputies and K-9s conducted a search at the jail and found controlled substances in two separate cells.

A narcotics investigation by the Investigative Bureau, Corrections Investigative Unit and Professional Standards Staff implicated Rupprecht, a Food Services crew leader who was associated with one of the inmates involved.

During an interview with investigators Friday morning, she admitted to her involvement in a scheme to bring contraband into the jail, the sheriff’s office said.

Rupprecht began working at Manatee County Jail in June of 2020. She was terminated immediately after being arrested.

Both criminal and internal investigations continue. At least three inmates are also facing charges, MCSO said.