An employee at the Habersham County Detention Center has been charged with smuggling illegal narcotics into the detention center for two inmates.
The Habersham County Sheriff's Office said in a press statement that investigators received information on Tuesday, Oct. 17, about the alleged drug smuggling. Officials asked the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO) to investigate the matter.
The ARDEO investigation determined that Melanie Zeigler, 27, of Mt. Airy had smuggled methamphetamine into the facility for inmates Sherman Lee Fitzwater, 37, of Alto and Shawn Donald Bowden, 29, of Mt. Airy. Drug agents believe Zeigler received the illegal drugs from Benjamin Spencer Smith, 28, of Demorest and Pebbles Elaina Daniels, 42, of Clarkesville.
The investigation further revealed Zeigler smuggled approximately one to three grams of methamphetamine into the Habersham County Detention Center on one or two previous occasions.
According to ARDEO agents, Zeigler was charged with distribution of methamphetamine, conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, transport of contraband across a guard line and violation of oath of office.
Fitzwater, Bowden, Smith and Daniels were each charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, conspiracy to transport contraband across a guard line and distribution of methamphetamine.
Zeigler, Fitzwater, Bowden and Smith, were arrested and each was transported to different neighboring detention centers.
Authorities says Daniels has not been arrested and is a fugitive from justice. Anyone who has information on Daniels is asked to call the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office at 706-839-0525 or 706-839-0500 or the ARDEO at 1-800-597-8477.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2017/10/595562/habersham-county-detention-center-employee-charged-with-smuggling-drugs-to-inmates