Body Scanner Helps Detect Contraband At HCDC Brought In By Inmates, Suspects

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — Last year, the Harford County Sheriff's Office purchased an OD Security's SOTER RS body scanner to help deter the flow of contraband into the jail. It's used to screen inmates and those who are arrested to detect drugs, tobacco, weapons, cell phones and other contraband.

Earlier this month, 37-year-old Kelly McFillin of Baltimore arrived at the Harford County Detention Center to serve a seven-day sentence for violation of probation on an original charge of burglary. Once at the jail, the deputies performed a routine search of her body utilizing the SOTER RS Body Scanner. During the scan, a non-organic item was detected on the scan inside McFillin’s pelvic area. As per policy, McFillin was detained in a temporary holding cell and regularly observed.

Deputies saw McFillin "behaving suspiciously" in the temporary holding cell, according to the sheriff's office. Deputies then saw McFillin place something in her mouth. They immediately removed McFillin from her cell and performed another body search. During the scan, deputies discovered illegal CDS in her underwear.

McFillin then was charged with possession of contraband in a place of confinement. This subsequently violated her court-ordered probation and a judge ordered her to be held without bail.