TYLER, Texas (KLTV) – Seven people are behind bars after the Texas Office of Inspector General (OIG) said they were involved in a large-scale scheme to smuggle drugs and cell phones into a prison in Anderson County.
In January, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) and OIG began an investigation after learning drones were used to deliver large packages of contraband into TDCJ’s Mark W. Michael Unit.
A sting operation led to the seizure of more than 100 cell phones and a large amount of methamphetamine, synthetic cannabinoids and other drugs, according to TDCJ.
(left to right) Dalen Bright from Webster, TX; Amber Smith from Missouri City, TX; Mari Cazares, a former TDCJ Correctional Officer, from Dallas, TX; Joshua Rider from Houston, TX; Alyson Wells from Plano, TX; John Pina from Krum, TX; and Janet Gutherie, a former TDCJ Correctional Officer, from DeKalb, TX(Texas Department of Criminal Justice)
The following people were charged with engaging in organized crime and booked into various Texas jails:
Dalen Bright, of Webster, was booked into the Galveston County JailAmber Smith, of Missouri City, was booked into the Fort Bend County JailMari Cazares, of Dallas, was booked into the Dallas County JailJoshua Rider, of Houston, was booked into the Harris County JailAlyson Wells, of Plano, was booked into the Plano City JailJohn Pina, of Krum, was booked into the Denton County JailJanet Gutherie, of DeKalb, was booked into the Bowie County Jail
Both Cazares and Gutherie are former prison guards, according to TDCJ.
“Let this be a clear warning: if you try to smuggle contraband into TDCJ correctional facilities, you will be caught and you will be held accountable,” Inspector General Lance Coleman said in a statement.
Investigators searched Cazares’s apartment, where additional items believed to be smuggled into the prison were found, including 30 pounds of loose tobacco, four new cell phones, receipts for dozens of other recently purchased phones and multiple bags of Bluetooth headphones, according to a press release.
OIG also found approximately 50 bags similar to those TDCJ provides to inmates for transporting their items and white clothing, according to a press release.
“This operation underscores both the risks posed by contraband and the strength of our response,” TDCJ Executive Director Bobby Lumpkin said in a statement.
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