Officers, Civilians Arrested After Contraband Found At GA Prisons

GEORGIA — The Georgia Department of Corrections says it is battling contraband daily in and out of state facilities, with both civilians and staff members being arrested at multiple Georgia prisons.

The DOC detailed Wednesday seven incidents involving the smuggling of contraband items so far this month.

"We appreciate our dedicated staff who work hard to keep contraband out of the hands of offenders," corrections officials said in a news release.

- At Augusta State Medical Prison on Nov. 6, officials learned Officer Nicole Rosario strongly smelled of marijuana, they said. She consented to a search, where officials said a bundle of tobacco was concealed on her person. She was arrested on unknown charges, officials said.

- At Baldwin State Prison on Nov. 8, officials said a suspicious vehicle was seen near the prison. The Milledgeville Police Department and DOC's K9 Unit found the following contraband: nine touch screen cellphones, four flip phones, three charging cords, 10 charging blocks, 11 USB cords, a pair of earbuds, two packs of rolling paper and 794 grams of tobacco. Milledgeville Police arrested civilians Travis Short and Devonta Strickland on unknown charges, officials said.

- At Dooly State Prison on Nov. 9, once again, officials said a suspicious vehicle was found near the prison. The DOC 's K9 Unit and the Houston County Sheriff's Office conducted a traffic stop, where officials said the following contraband was found: two drones, a drone controller, 394 grams of tobacco, 1,457 grams of marijuana, two guns and three cell phones. Civilians Dontacious Patrick and Solomon Thompkins, who were in the vehicle, were arrested and taken to the Houston County Sheriff's Office on unknown charges, officials said.

- At Calhoun State Prison, contraband was found twice on Nov. 9, officials said. In the first incident, the Calhoun County Sheriff's Office recovered contraband during a traffic stop and arrested the driver and two people who were walking in the woods near the prison. The arrestees were not identified. In another incident, Calhoun County deputies saw a suspicious person walking in the field near the prison. The DOC's K9 Unit tracked the suspect, and contraband was found inside of the man's duffle bag. Officials said 5,115 grams of tobacco, 874 grams of marijuana, seven cell phones, three charging blocks, 29 charging cords, 15 earbuds, 73 lighters and 19 packs of cigarettes were recovered.

- At Wilcox State Prison Friday, the Abbeville Police Department arrested civilian Anthony Riley after accusing him of trying to bring contraband into the prison. Officials said Riley was near the prison with a drone and two packages that contained the following items: 3,767 grams of tobacco, four cell phones, two chargers, four earbuds, 10 lighters and six rolling papers. Officials said Riley was taken to Wilcox County Jail on unknown charges.

- At Lee State Prison Sunday, Officer Jaylin Lane had the strong odor of marijuana as he went into the prison, officials said. He consented to a search, and officials said a vacuumed sealed bag of marijuana was taped on him. Lane was arrested by the Lee County Sheriff's Office and was taken to the Lee County Jail on unknown charges.