Brown County Sheriff Bobby Grubbs held a press conference Wednesday afternoon regarding the recent arrests of six people related to the smuggling of tobacco products to inmates of the Brown County Jail.
According to Sheriff Grubbs, BCSO began an investigation about two weeks ago, after deputies had gained information about “drops” being made at the jail. He stated that the smuggling began with inmate Justin Daniell and expanded to two other inmates, Kevin Sliger and Stacy Darnell. Grubbs stated that Barry Daniell, a visitor to the jail who was connected to Justin Daniell, brought tobacco products, primarily snuff, along with accomplice Shanna Hughitt. According to the Sherriff, it was determined that newly hired jailer Michael Howard was being paid to provide assistance in the transfer of the contraband tobacco products to the inmates.
Grubbs stated that this type of activity is not tolerated and is in fact insulting to his entire department.
“I take that very personally. It’s a slap in the face to the ones who go back there and do their jobs the way it should be done, so we take that very seriously,” said Grubbs. “It’s not the first time something like this has happened and unfortunately probably won’t be the last time something happens.”
Each of these people have been charged with Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity which according to Grubbs “means three or more people who gathered together to commit an offense.” He explained that they are ‘frequent flyer’ inmates, having been in the system many times before, they know how it works. Each of these inmates, according to Grubbs, are facing this additional charge on top of some “pretty serious charges” they were booked in on originally.
“They’ve been around the block a few times, they know this game, how to work the jailers—if they give them an opportunity,” said Grubbs.
He didn’t release the details of the smuggling or how BCSO became aware of the offense. According to Sheriff Grubbs, as the investigation continues, additional charges may be filed, and if any other inmates are found to have been involved, they too will be charged with the crime.
“This is how we get people hurt and how contraband gets inside the jail,” said Grubbs. “So we watch for this type of thing all the time. When they (jailers) cross that line, we file charges on them. We hate where it is, but that’s where it is. Anytime we have mistakes like that back there, we are going to try to correct it.”
Sheriff Grubbs stated that there had only been tobacco products brought in, as far as the investigation has found to this point. There have been reports that they were going to bring in methamphetamine; however, that has not been found through this stage of the investigation, according to Grubbs.
The case is still under investigation and more arrests or charges could be pending according to Grubbs.
