Staff Reports
A local woman who had been sentenced to 30 days in the Bartholomew County Jail is now facing additional charges after being accused of hiding drugs in a body cavity.
Kristen Hunter, 34, Columbus, was sentenced Wednesday in Bartholomew Superior Court 2 to 30 days in jail on a possession of a controlled substance conviction, Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department deputies said. Officers received information that she was going to attempt to smuggle drugs into the jail while serving out her sentence, deputies said.
Detective Chad Swank, along with the Bartholomew County Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team, obtained a search warrant. After she was taken to Columbus Regional Hospital, Hunter removed the drugs, which included 2.5 grams of heroin, suboxone pills, two unidentified pills and two unopened packs of cigarettes.
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Hunter was arrested on new preliminary charges of possession of a controlled substance, possession of heroin and trafficking with an inmate, deputies said.
She was being held in the Bartholomew County Jail in lieu of $77,500 bond, jail officials said.
Corrections officers performed cell checks at the jail on Thursday and found what is believed to be a small amount of methamphetamine, which remains under investigation.
“Bringing drugs into the jail is not only a crime, but it is extremely dangerous and puts the safety of corrections officers, staff, inmates and members of our community at risk,” said Bartholomew County Sheriff Matt Myers, who said those who attempt to do it will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Myers said the problem of individuals attempting to smuggle drugs into the jail is not unique to Bartholomew County — jails across the country are struggling with the issue too.
The only way for staff to find contraband hidden in a body cavity is through tips, a search warrant or a body scanner, according to the department.
The sheriff’s department has talked with county officials about purchasing a body scanner and discussions are underway about the best scanner for the jail and how to fund it, Myers said.
