Contraband Arrest 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 1,371 staff and civilians for introducing contraband into prisons throughout the state.

On February 1 at Hays State Prison, visitor Yededya Gebru was found with 2 balloons containing an unknown substance.  Visitor Gebru was transported to Chattooga County Jail by Chattooga County Sheriff's Office.

On February 1 at Rutledge State Prison, Visitor Eilena Simpson was arrested after the offender she was visiting was acting suspicious and asking to use the bathroom. Security staff conducted a random search of the bathroom after he exited and recovered two packages that contained approximately 291 grams of tobacco and eight packs of rolling paper. Visitor Simpson was arrested and transported to the Muscogee County Jail.

On January 28 at Rogers State Prison, the Canine Unit stopped a suspicious vehicle on Highway 178. The occupants of the vehicle were the driver, Civilian Tabitha Bishop, and Passengers Justin Coleman and Damien Wallace. A vehicle search found 2 plastic containers with tobacco wrapped in red and black tape. All three civilians were arrested and transported to Tattnall County Jail.

On January 28 at Telfair State Prison, the Telfair County Sheriff's Office detected a suspicious vehicle on Longbridge Road by the facility. A search of the area was conducted and three 2 liter bottles wrapped in gray duct tape was found. The contraband consisted of 2 mobile hot spots, 6 flat screen cellphones, 6 cellphone chargers, and 566 grams of tobacco. The driver, David Tugman was arrested and transported to Telfair County Jail.