A Walker County corrections officer was arrested for allegedly smuggling contraband to inmates at the county jail, Sheriff Nick Smith announced Tuesday.
Tony Dewayne Jackson, 29, of Parrish, was charged with third-degree promoting prison contraband, said Smith. He is no longer employed by the sheriff’s office following his arrest.
An investigation between the sheriff’s office and the Walker County District Attorney’s Office revealed Jackson smuggling non-drug contraband items into the Walker County jail, “compromising the safety and security of both inmates and staff,” Smith said.
The sheriff’s office did not say what items Jackson allegedly smuggled into the jail.
“Contraband of any kind undermines the safety protocols and security measures we have in place,” Smith said in a statement. “Items such as mobile phones, weapons, and other unauthorized materials can facilitate criminal activities, endanger lives, and disrupt the rehabilitation process. We take these breaches very seriously and will continue to enforce strict measures to prevent any such activities.”
The investigation that led to Jackson’s arrest was ongoing as of Tuesday, Smith said, and additional charges against Jackson may be forthcoming if new evidence emerges.
