Two Jones County correctional officers have been charged in connection to a contraband case at the local detention center.
Thomas Powell, 41, of Laurel, and Charles Sullivan, 36, of Ellisville, were two of five people taken into custody, according to WDAM. Powell was charged with introduction of contraband into a correctional facility, conspiracy to commit a crime, and extortion. Sullivan was charged with extortion. The charges against both men are considered felonies.
“We have zero tolerance for any type of criminal behavior by corrections staff at our detention facilities,” Jones County Sheriff Joe Berlin told the TV station.
Berlin added that both Powell and Sullivan were immediately fired following their arrests, which came after an investigation into alleged criminal behavior at the Jones County Adult Detention Facility.
The other three suspects arrested were:
- Christopher Hodge, 20, of Laurel
- Susan Hodge, 47, of Laurel
- Ashley Kittrell, 23, of Laurel
All three were charged with conspiracy to commit a crime.
Powell and Sullivan have each been released on bonds of $40,000 and $5,000, respectively.
