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Authorities in Houston have introduced costs in opposition to a retired legal professional after he allegedly provided drug-laced papers that brought about the deaths of at the least two Harris County Jail inmates. Per FOX 26 Houston, retired prison protection legal professional Ronald Lewis was allegedly supplying the drug-laced papers to inmates at a price.
The 77-year-old suspect was finally arrested on Friday, and authorities stated he had 11 sheets of paper on him on the time. Authorities at the moment are testing the paper to find out whether or not it incorporates narcotics.
“In July, our Detentions Legal Investigation and Safety Division developed proof that an legal professional was presumably supplying sheets of paper laced with ecstasy and artificial marijuana to individuals in jail throughout in-person visits,” Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez stated throughout a information convention.
The substances Lewis smuggled into the jail brought about the deaths of at the least two inmates whereas a number of inmates additionally suffered hostile unwanted effects, courtroom paperwork said. The substance in query was stated to be methoxy dimethyl oxobutane.
“The laced sheets of mail have been usually disguised as authorized mail or different types of authorized paperwork. Inmates would pay the attorneys $200 to $500 to herald the laced papers,” HCSO Lt. J Wheeler stated.
“Mr. Lewis visited 14 inmates from July 2023 till November 2023. Throughout the investigation, roughly 154 sheets of paper have been believed to be laced with narcotics and confiscated,” Wheeler added.
Kimberly Smith, who’s a prosecutor with the Harris County District Legal professional’s Workplace, additionally stated they might not set up the connection Lewis had with the inmates, FOX 26 Houston reported.
“As of document, these aren’t his purchasers. We have no idea the connection between this defendant, this legal professional, these purchasers. However as of document, they aren’t his purchasers,” Smith stated.
Lewis has since been charged with two counts of bringing a prohibited substance right into a correctional facility. He was, nonetheless, launched on Saturday after posting a $7,500 bond. His bond situation bars him from visiting any inmate in jail throughout his trial.
Lewis’ arrest comes after Gonzalez reportedly arrange a job drive to clamp down on crime and dangerous narcotics contained in the jail after criticism over the rising variety of jail deaths. An HCSO spokesperson additionally stated 27 inmates died in 2022 whereas 19 have handed away this yr. Gonzalez additionally stated they’ve since carried out tighter safety measures.
“If attorneys are approaching website, we’ve made a replica machine out there for them. They’ll make copies. They’ll deal with it. We’ve given them envelopes. They’ll safe it after which take it as much as the flooring. What we’ve requested them to do is simply course of it with paper that we offer,” HCSO Asst. Chief P. Bosquez stated.
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