Contraband Arrests at Multiple State Prisons

On April 30 at Dodge SP, during a routine search of vehicles, contraband consisting of 1 small bag of THC, 1 bag of a white crystal-like substance, and  2 cans of Michelob ULTRA were located in Contractor David Tootle and Daniel Brown's vehicle. Contractors Brown and Tootle were arrested by the Dodge County Sheriff's Department and transported to the Dodge County Jail, pending charges.

On May 3 at Montgomery SP, staff observed suspicious activity near the facility. A search of the area was conducted, and a package containing an unknown amount of meth, MDMA, marijuana, and strips with an unknown substance, along with Civilian Xavier Herring. Civilian Herring was arrested and taken to the Montgomery County Jail with pending charges.

On May 4 at Rogers SP, at the conclusion of visitation an offender was searched and the following items were found on his person: 1 bundle of Newport Cigarettes weighing .08 ounces and 1 bundle of marijuana weighing 1.1 ounces. The visitor, Civilian Nathalie Mollenthiel, was arrested and escorted to Tattnall County Jail with pending charges.

On May 9 at Wilcox SP, Visitor Shakerah Willis was processing in at the front entry for visitation when the body scanner revealed a suspicious package on her person. After being questioned, she consented to a search, and the following contraband was recovered: a package of suspected marijuana and strips with an unknown substance. Her vehicle was subsequently searched, and a bundle of suspected marijuana with wrapping papers was recovered. Visitor Willis was arrested by OPS Special Agents and transported to the Turner County Jail with pending charges.

On May 10 at Dooly SP, 2 civilians were spotted near the woodline of the facility. The Dooly County Sheriff's Office was notified and observed a suspicious vehicle. Civilians Kaila Williamson and Kayzer Woodyard were apprehended, and 1 package was recovered. The package contained 18 cellphones, 407 grams of MDMA, 769 grams of marijuana, 775 grams of tobacco, 14 charging blocks, 14 earbuds, 33 charging cables, 63 lighters, 2 pocketknives, 7 vapes, 1 speaker, miscellaneous clothing, and 1 gram of an unknown drug. Civilian Williamson and Woodyard were arrested and escorted to the Dooly County Jail with pending charges.

On May 10 at McRae WF, Visitor Blanca Garcia was processing in at the front entry for visitation when the body scanner revealed a suspicious package on her person. Visitor Garcia was searched, and two black bags were removed. The bags contained 1 cellphone, 1 charging cord, 1 charging block, 26 necklaces, 2 ankle bracelets, 118 pairs of earrings, 43 nose rings, and 4 tongue rings. The McRae Helena Sheriff's Office arrested Visitor Garcia and transported her to the Telfair County Jail with pending charges.

On May 17 at Montgomery SP, Civilian Hope Crews attempted to enter the facility for visitation when security staff noticed a bundle of an unknown material fall from her waistline. The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office arrested the Civilian Crew and transported her to jail, pending charges.

On May 19 at Valdosta SP, CERT Officer Jahleel Horton entered the front entry when an item was found hidden inside his vest, which contained two cellphones, each with a phone case wrapped in black electrical tape. Officer Horton was arrested by the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office and transported to jail with pending charges.

On May 23 at Valdosta SP, a suspicious person was spotted near the facility. During a search of the area, 4 packages wrapped in black plastic and electrical tape were located. The GDC Canine Unit and Lowndes County Sheriff's Office conducted a search of the area, and former offender Rico Watson was apprehended in the woods near the facility. The contraband packages contained 50 packs of Black and Mild Cigars, 4 cellphones, 8 lighters, 16 charging cords, 5 charging blocks, 1 power outlet, and 1 pair of headphones. Former offender Watson was arrested and taken to the Lowndes County Sheriff's Office with pending charges.