A worker in an Arkansas county jail has been suspended, pending an investigation regarding his wife who authorities say may have been funneling methamphetamine into the prison system. The Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office has just concluded its investigation concerning the 42-year-old woman, who now faces charges for alleged drug crimes. Her husband remains suspended from his duties pending an internal investigation into his possible involvement.
According to the report, sheriff’s deputies began an investigation on Feb. 13 to determine the source of methamphetamine they say had been found in the possession of prisoners. The course of the investigation was not made totally clear in this report. However, it has been confirmed that authorities conducted a search of the woman’s home in Fort Smith.
Police say they found evidence of drug sales in the home, including scales, baggies and other assorted drug paraphernalia. They also say they found meth in the home, but the actual amount seized was not reported. It is unclear what prompted the court to sign a search warrant for the property at this time.
The woman faces charges for drug crimes including possession of meth with intent to deliver, delivery of meth and maintaining a premise for drug sales. The woman posted bond in the Arkansas facility where she was being held in advance of a trial date. Her husband is being investigated to see if he was complicit in her activities. Of course, both individuals are presumed innocent under state law unless and until prosecutors can prove the formal charges in court and by evidence that is beyond a reasonable doubt.
Source: arkansasonline.com, “Arkansas jail employee suspended after wife’s arrest on drug charges, sheriff’s office says“, Jillian Kremer, Feb. 14, 2108