Prison worker accused of drug deal with inmate

PENDLETON, Ind. (Herald-Bulletin) - A Pendleton Correctional Facility was arrested after trying to smuggle drugs to an inmate, Indiana State Police said.

ISP Detective Bob May told 24-Hour News 8 news partner The Herald Bulletin that Uriah Booker, an employee of the prison since September 2011, was found with 280 grams of marijuana, four cell phones and 80 strips of suboxone, a synthetic form of methadone that comes in dissolvable strips.

One strip, May said, can sell for $75. Booker was promised $1,500 for his services — $500 up front and the rest after the delivery, the newspaper reports.

“A transaction takes at least three people,” May said. “One on the outside, the person bringing it in, and the inmate.”

May would not disclose the name of the inmate Booker was working with, but he said the inmate had been trying to convince Booker for months to do the job before Booker finally gave in.

Since Booker’s arrest Thursday, the inmate has been moved, and prison staff have conducted a thorough search of his cell.

Booker was caught with the drugs during a pat down by another prison guard.

According to May, anyone entering the facility, from visitors to the superintendent, is subject to a search upon entering the facility.

Booker was transported to the Madison County Jail and preliminarily charged with bribery, trafficking with an inmate and possession of marijuana. He was placed on emergency suspension without pay.