Contraband Arrests at Multiple State Prisons

On November 1 at Washington SP, the Washington County Sheriff's Office observed a drone flying near the facility. The Washington County Sheriff's Office responded to the area, and civilians Robert Young, Cecil Twillie, and Marquise Gilmore were arrested and transported to Washington County Jail. A package was located that contained 1 drone, 3 cellphones, 1 drone controller, 2 charging cords, 2 lighters, 8 drone batteries, 1990 grams of tobacco, and 401.4 grams of marijuana.

On November 1 at Lee Arrendale State Prison, security staff observed Civilian Sarah Grissom passing contraband to an offender during visitation. A package was located that contained 23 grams of tobacco and a pack of rolling papers. The Habersham County Sheriff's Office arrested Civilian Grissom, and she was transported to the Habersham County Jail with pending charges.

On November 1 at Baldwin SP, Civilian Terri Fuller attempted to enter the facility but was unable to clear the metal detector. Security staff noticed a bulge in her chest area, and when questioned, she produced a small package. The package contained 26 grams of methamphetamine. Civilian Fuller was transported to Baldwin County Jail with pending charges.    

On November 3 at Valdosta SP, during a routine search, Officer Sydni Frederick was found with 30 grams of tobacco, 9-10 packs of Bulger rolling paper, and 1 red lighter on her person. The Lowndes County Sheriff's Department arrested Officer Frederick, and she was transported to the Lowndes County Jail with pending charges.

On November 8 at Telfair SP, the GDC Canine Unit observed 2 civilians near the facility throwing several packages. The GDC Canine Unit apprehended civilians Tory Taylor and Kenneth Starks. The packages contained 18 cellphones, 462 packs of rolling paper, 5,389 grams of tobacco, 2,415 grams of marijuana, 30 grams of soaked paper, 711 grams of MDMA, 4 bottles of promethazine, 8 cigars, 95 small bottles of alcohol, 10 vapes, 11 lighters, 2 clippers, 6 tubes of hair dye, 2 master locks, 1 cutting tool, 10 Dremel disks, 2 knives, 2 cans of Bear Spray, 4 magnets, 1 vacuum sealer, 15 charging cords, 24 charging blocks, 1 pair of headphones, 5 pair of earbuds, 1 bag of candy, 1 mask, 20 teeth whitening strips, 4 tubes of toothpaste, 6 toothbrushes, 4 bars of soap, 4 bottles of deodorant, 4 bottles of body wash, 2 speakers, religious beads, 6 pair of pants, 7 pair of shoes, 3 skull caps, 8 pair of socks, 8 shirts, 3 pair of shorts, and 7 jackets. The Telfair County Sheriff's Office arrested civilians Taylor and Starks with pending charges.

On November 17 at Wilcox SP, security staff smelled a strong odor of marijuana on food service employee Barbara Peterson, and 63 grams of marijuana were found on her person. A vehicle search was also conducted, and 45 grams of marijuana were recovered. Employee Peterson was arrested by the Wilcox County Sheriff's Department and transported to the Abbeville Police Department with pending charges.

On November 19 at Lee Arrendale SP, Aramark employee Candice Shingah was unable to clear the metal detector. Six nicotine pouches and 2 packs of Newport cigarettes were found on her person. The Habersham County Sheriff's Office arrested Employee Shingah and transported her to Habersham County Jail with pending charges.

On November 24 at Hancock SP, the GDC Canine Unit located 2 unidentified cars near the facility.  A search of the area turned up a mesh bag that contained 915 grams of tobacco, 1,859 grams of marijuana, 2 drones, 3 drone controllers, 6 cellphones, 6 drone batteries, 4 vapes, and 98 grams of oxycodone. The Hancock County Sheriff's Office detained the suspects, and they were taken to the Hancock County Detention Center with pending charges.

On November 25 at Dodge SP, the GDC Canine Unit detained Civilian Willie Stephens after observing him near the facility. The vehicle was searched, and 1 DJI Matrice Drone, 592 grams of marijuana, 4 vapes, 1 lighter, 27 rolling papers, 1177 grams of tobacco, and 2 cellphones were located. Dodge County Sheriff's Office arrested civilian Stephens with pending charges.

On November 29 at Lee Arrendale SP, security staff observed Civilian Diane Price passing contraband to an offender. The offender was searched, and an egg-shaped package wrapped in black duct tape was recovered, which contained 10 sheets of paper coated in a white substance and 60 unfiltered Cigarettes. The Habersham County Sheriff's Office arrested civilian Price with pending charges.

On November 30 at Dooly SP, Visitor Georgia Singleton attempted to enter the facility but was unable to clear the metal detector. Upon investigation, a mini flashlight and a small amount of tobacco in a latex glove fell from her person. Visitor Singleton was transported to Dooly County Jail with pending charges.