Contraband Arrest at Calhoun & Rogers 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 834 staff and civilians for introducing contraband into prisons throughout the state.

On July 9 at Calhoun State Prison, an officer was making rounds during visitation when he smelled marijuana on visitor Marleeta Benton. The officer questioned visitor Benton and she admitted to having 28 dime sized red balloons of marijuana hidden inside her bra and another 28 balloons of marijuana hidden inside her person. Total weight of marijuana was 2.44 ounces. Officers searched visitor Benton's vehicle and found two cell phones and five paypal cards. 

On July 9 near Rogers State Prison, two civilians were arrested by the Tattnall County Sheriff’s Department. While parked near the Rogers State Prison Dairy, a part-time off-duty deputy assigned to Rogers State Prison observed a male exit a grey car and run toward prison property. The deputy contacted the Tattnall County Sheriff’s Department and GDC security staff.  Tattnall County Sheriff’s Department responded and with the use of the K-9 unit tracked and located the male suspect. The driver of the vehicle was also apprehended by deputies on a traffic stop led to the discovery of a small amount of methamphetamine and marijuana. The deputies along with the K-9 unit searched the surrounding area on Rogers State Prison’s property and discovered two packages wrapped in black socks containing contraband. The packages consisted of 60 grams of marijuana, 25 grams of methamphetamine, 745 grams of loose tobacco, two smartphones and one flip phone. Civilians arrested were Christopher Lee and Sharetha Smith. 

The Department of Corrections is committed to identifying and pursuing prosecution of those persons who attempt to introduce contraband into state facilities.