Former Corrections Officer Pleads Guilty To Smuggling Drugs

CLEVELAND — Two people have pleaded guilty to involvement in a drug smuggling scheme at Cuyahoga County Jail.

Marvella Sullivan, a former corrections officer, pleaded guilty to attempted bribery and drug trafficking of marijuana. Lamar Speights, an inmate, pleaded guilty to bribery, money laundering and illegal conveyance of drugs into a detention facility.

Sullivan smuggled narcotics and other items into Cuyahoga County Jail, according to an indictment. She was working under the guidance of Speights, prosecutors argued.

The investigation into Sullivan and Speights began in 2019, according to the Ohio Attorney General's office.

Another former corrections officer, Stephen Thomas, is scheduled for a pretrial hearing on Aug. 19. Another inmate, Alexander Foster, was arraigned Thursday for bribery and obstructing justice prosecutors said.

The investigation into the drug smuggling ring was led by the Ohio Attorney General's office, the FBI, Cleveland police and the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's office.