From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
MONTGOMERY – Law enforcement agents from the Alabama Department of Corrections (ADOC) Investigations and Intelligence Division reported the finding of illegal contraband at Bibb Correctional Facility in the early morning hours of Wednesday, Aug. 21. Correctional officers at the facility found three packages containing illegal contraband on the property.
The ADOC’s K9 unit tracked the suspects’ route on the Bibb Correctional Facility property. During the tracking, K9 handlers discovered one large suitcase, one large duffle bag and another package, all containing illegal contraband. The inventory of the packages found by officers included 230 grams of methamphetamine, 208 grams of marijuana and 15 cell phones and phone chargers. All packages were collected and secured.
Partner law enforcement agencies were notified, and Brent Police Department officers stopped a white Chevrolet Sonic near Bibb Correctional Facility in Brent and arrested four suspects.
“Decreasing the presence of contraband is a nationwide problem, but ADOC is committed to continuing to fight to eliminate its presence, as we know it directly affects a facility’s ability to provide a safe, rehabilitative environment,” said Arnaldo Mercado, director of the Department’s Investigations and Intelligence Division. “Alongside the ADOC’s recent major contraband sweeps at facilities across the state, our correctional officers routinely play a major role in locating and eliminating contraband – and for that, we thank them.”
The suspects were identified as Lauren Olivia Grier, 26, and Heather Carroll, 27, both from Lincoln; Quentin Truss, 46, of Talladega; and John Washington Key Jr., 43, of Birmingham. All four individuals were transported to the Bibb County Jail and charged with trafficking controlled substances, unlawful possession of methamphetamine and promoting prison contraband. In addition, Grier is being charged with a felony – obstruction of justice – after providing false identification to avoid prosecution. The participating agencies in the arrests included ADOC’s Investigations and Intelligence Division’s K-9 Unit and Brent Police Department.
ADOC has a zero-tolerance policy concerning contraband and continues to evaluate effective tactics to mitigate and eliminate its presence in facilities, including routine, announced searches of facilities, inmates and ADOC staff. ADOC is working with other state corrections directors and the Federal Communications Commission to address this national problem.
The public should submit all information that may lead to the arrest of anyone attempting to introduce illegal contraband into state prisons to the ADOC Investigations and Intelligence Division by calling 1-855-WE-R-ADOC (937-2362) and to law enforcement by visiting the ADOC website at http://www.doc.alabama.gov/investigationrequest.
