Woman Tried To Pass Drugs In Courtroom Restroom: Sheriff's Office

PITTSBURGH, PA — An Allison Park woman has been arrested with attempting to use a magistrate's restroom to pass drugs to her boyfriend.

Lauren Barricella, 33, is facing charges that include felony counts of contraband, criminal conspiracy and delivery, the Allegheny County Sheriff's Office announced.

Barricella allegedly tried to use the restroom at the office of District Judge Tom Swan of Gibsonia to pass deflated balloons containing suspected marijuana and heroin to Jesse Eaton, her incarcerated boyfriend.

The suspected drugs were discovered by court staff on the bathroom floor, which is used by both the public and inmates who are awaiting court cases.

Detectives from the sheriff's office were notified of the discovery. After reviewing the court cases scheduled for the date the drugs were discovered, on Dec. 13, detectives determined that Eaton - currently in the Allegheny County Jail on drug related offenses - was the likely potential recipient of the drop.

Detectives then reviewed jail calls between Barricella and Eaton prior to the December date and afterwards with the conversations allegedly confirming the plan to transfer the suspected drugs.