Two Face Charges for Alleged Conspiracy to Smuggle Narcotics into Butte County Jail
Photo: Stock Image
An inmate and a civilian reportedly face charges for an alleged conspiracy to smuggle narcotics into the county jail.
According to a press release by the Butte County Sheriff’s Office, on Aug. 20, a correctional deputy at the Butte County jail discovered two suspicious drawings inside an envelope addressed to inmate Marqual Barnes, 25.
The mail was placed in an open area and searched with the assistance of a K9 deputy. The dog reportedly indicated that the envelope might contain narcotics. Correctional deputies confiscated the items.
During the investigation, the District Attorney’s Office provided jail phone calls in which Barnes and Kayla Smith, 24, of Chico, allegedly discussed plans to send narcotics into the jail via the United States Postal Service.
The drawings were found to have been soaked in methamphetamine, the Sheriff’s Office said.
Barnes, who is currently housed at the jail, was booked on two additional charges: conspiracy and smuggling a controlled substance into a jail. A Ramey warrant was issued for Smith on the same charges. Her arrest is pending.
