Cuyahoga County Jailers Accused Of Smuggling Drugs

CLEVELAND — Two Cuyahoga County jail staffers have been accused of smuggling drugs at the behest of an inmate, the Ohio Attorney General announced. Stephen Thomas and Marvella Sullivan were both indicted this week.

Thomas and Sullivan were corrections officers at the Cuyahoga County jail. Both officers served as couriers, smuggling drugs and contraband, under the direction of Lamar Speights, a Heartless Felons gang member, and another inmate, the Ohio Attorney General's office said.

According to the indictment, Thomas and Sullivan brought heroin, fentanyl, and marijuana into the jail. The duo are also accused of perjury, bribery, tampering with evidence, obstructing justice, theft, telecommunications fraud, and more.

The Ohio Attorney General's office has been leading an ongoing investigation into possible crimes at the Cuyahoga County jail. The investigation has been joined by the FBI, the Cleveland police department and the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's department.

The state has already charged several Cuyahoga County corrections officers with civil rights violations, extortion and other crimes. In April 2019, the state accused five corrections officers of crimes. Three additional indictments against other officers followed.