INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Sheriff’s Office detectives and corrections personnel joined efforts to stop the introduction of marijuana and other contraband into the jail.
Investigators from the Special Investigations Unit were contacted when corrections staff learned of a plan to leave contraband in a trash can within the visitors area of the jail Oct. 21, according to authorities. Through a series of recorded phone calls, jail officials became aware of Quanessa Footman’s intention to smuggle illegal items into the facility for an inmate already incarcerated.
Detectives maintained surveillance of the area identified as the drop location and later observed Footman leaving a small package wrapped in cellophane in a trash can as planned during the phone calls with the inmate, according to the press release. The package was found to contain 6.5 grams of marijuana, 8 cigarettes, and a disposable lighter.
“The introduction of contraband, such as cigarettes and a lighter, into a correctional facility causes increased risk to our jail staff and the inmates,” said Indian River County Sheriff Deryl Loar. “When the contraband is an intoxicant such as an illegal drug, that risk is even higher and the security of those in the facility has the potential to be compromised. These items can easily become the catalyst for violence when they are used for bartering or when they are stolen by other inmates. I am proud and appreciative of the astute staff at the jail and of our investigators for helping to prevent these items from entering the facility.”
Quanessa L. Footman, 31, of Sebastian, was arrested as she was leaving the visitation facilit, according to the Sheriff’s Office. She faces charges with introduction of contraband into a detention facility, a third degree felony, and possession of under 20 grams of marijuana, a first degree misdemeanor. She posted $11,000 bond and was released pending her next court date of Dec. 7.
Charges for the intended recipient of the contraband are forthcoming, according to authorities. The inmate’s identity is not yet being released as that portion of the investigation is still active.
