County Police: Wife Passed Drugs to Inmate Husband

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The wife of one of the Westchester County Jail inmates who overdosed over the weekend has been charged for allegedly passing synthetic marijuana to him.

Westchester County Police Wednesday night arrested Ebony Strange, 32, of White Plains, on a misdemeanor charge of Promoting Prison Contraband 2nd Degree. She is accused of passing suspected synthetic marijuana during a July 19 visit to her inmate husband, Deron Strange, 31.

The substance is what county police believe sickened prisoners at the jail on several occasions over the last several days.

She was released pending a July 30 appearance in Mount Pleasant Town Court. The charge could be upgraded pending the results of laboratory tests.

“Westchester County has zero tolerance when it comes to illegal contraband being smuggled into our jail to be used by inmates and prisoners,” said County Executive Rob Astorino in a statement. “I would like to thank the county police and the Department of Correction for their diligent investigation in getting to the bottom of these recent incidents.”

The inmate illnesses began on July 12 when three prisoners became sick at separate times during the day. An additional six prisoners became ill on July 19 and four more on July 20. All were treated at local hospitals after exhibiting signs of drug use or drug overdose and were returned to the jail the same day.

On Monday night, Astorino ordered a complete search of the entire jail facility to locate any remaining illegal contraband. Teams of police and correction officers, supplemented by narcotics detection canines, swept all cells and common areas at the jail.

The investigation into the recent incidents included a review of visitor logs and security camera video from the jail’s visiting area and cellblocks. Investigators also conducted interviews with inmates, visitors and staff.

Ebony Strange was taken into custody at her home Wednesday night. Deron Strange also was charged earlier this week with Promoting Prison Contraband 2nd Degree.

His charge was based on the remains of a burnt hand-rolled cigarette that was found following a search of his cell. Tests are under way to confirm the substance it contains.

An additional five prisoners were charged with Promoting Prison Contraband this week for also being in possession of small amounts of drugs or drug paraphernalia.

In a related development, Correction officers today seized 40 glassine envelopes containing a white powder believed to be heroin that a visitor attempted to pass to an inmate. The inmate and visitor will each be charged with Promoting Prison Contraband 1st Degree, a felony. Additional details are pending.

Photo 1: Ebony Strange. Photo 2: Deron Strange. Photo credit: Westchester County Police Department