Contraband Arrests at Multiple State Prisons

As of July 2010, The GDC Office of Professional Standards, in conjunction with local & federal law enforcement partners, have investigated or arrested approximately 1,333 staff and civilians for introducing contraband into prisons throughout the state.

On December 1 at Smith State Prison, 2 unidentified people were spotted running away from the perimeter fence into the wood line behind the facility. Glenville Police Department and the GDC Canine Unit responded to the scene to provide assistance. A vehicle was found parked on the facility grounds with Howard Brown and Darience Price. Two packages wrapped in grey duct tape and 1 wrapped in clear plastic was found on the ground inside the fence. The packages contained the following contraband: an unweighted amount of tobacco, 6 cellphones, and 2 packs of rolling papers. Civilians Brown and  Price were arrested by Glenville Police Department and transported to Tattnall County Jail with charges pending.

On December 1 at Wilcox State Prison, the front entry Sergeant detected a strong odor of marijuana coming from the visitor Courtney Durham.  After consenting to a search, where a package wrapped in clear plastic containing suspected marijuana was found on her person. Visitor Durham was arrested by Abbeville Police Department.

On December 1 at Autry State Prison, a Mitchell County Sheriff's Office Deputy pulled over a suspicious vehicle near the facility. The vehicle contained 3 civilians, and after a search of the vehicle was conducted 13 bundles wrapped in black electrical tape and 5 oxycodone pills were discovered. The items were confiscated and taken into custody of the Mitchell County Sheriff's Office. Civilians Marquel Williams, Christopher Darlington and Dominique Elson were arrested.

On November 29 at Macon State Prison Visitor Aqueelah Wheeler was attempting to clear the body scanner when a suspicious object was noticed on the monitor. There were 5 cellphone sim cards and 1 memory stick found inside of her coat pocket.  Visitor Wheeler was arrested by Macon Police Department.