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 1,562 staff and civilians for introducing contraband into prisons throughout the state.

On September 18 at Wilcox State Prison, a traffic stop was conducted near the facility. A search of the vehicle found the following contraband: tobacco, cell phones, rolling paper, cell phone batteries, earbuds, phone chargers, charging blocks, cigarettes, lighters, drywall tape, plastic putty knife, can of Flex Seal. Civilians Shameka Hines and Joshua Smith were both arrested and transported to the Wilcox County Jail. 

On September 17 at Valdosta State Prison, two individuals were spotted on facility grounds.  A search of facility grounds found bundles of unknown contraband. A further search found Civilians Patricia Dryer and Ryan Bayly near the facility. Their vehicle was found with civilians Stephanie Hartley and Civilian Tonya Ingram. All four individuals were arrested and transported to the Lowndes County Jail. 

On September 17 at Calhoun State Prison, an individual was seen on facility grounds attempting to introduce contraband to the facility. A later vehicle stop found that individual, Melvin Green, and civilian Darrecia Hall half a mile down from the facility. A search of the highway along where they were stopped found the following contraband: marijuana, tobacco, MDMA and cell phones. Both Green and Hall were arrested and transported to the Calhoun County Jail. 

On September 17 at Wilcox State Prison, an individual was found on facility grounds. A search found tobacco, cellphones, chargers, and rolling papers. Civilian Kenyatta Lawrence was arrested and transported to the Wilcox County jail.