(Greensburg, IN) — Three people face felony charges following an investigation into an alleged attempt to bring contraband into the Decatur County Detention Center, according to the Decatur County Sheriff’s Office.
Authorities said inmates Brandon Gay and Robert Phillips initiated a plan on Dec. 12 to have contraband brought into the facility. Investigators said the inmates established communication with David Shrout, who was to meet with a detention deputy and provide items intended to be smuggled into the jail.
Officials said the detention deputy was not arrested and is not accused of wrongdoing, noting that the deputy immediately reported the contact to a supervisor after being approached about the scheme, which prompted the criminal investigation.
The sheriff’s office said it was also established that payment for the contraband was to be made through a cash-transfer application.
On Dec. 18, authorities said communication took place in which Shrout agreed to meet at a designated location. When Shrout arrived, he was arrested by Decatur County sheriff’s deputies with assistance from the Greensburg Police Department. Investigators said evidence found in Shrout’s vehicle was consistent with what had been agreed upon to be brought into the detention center.
“This isn’t our first opportunity to take advantage of a situation like this,” Decatur County Sheriff Bill Meyerrose told WRBI News. “If it pops up like this, we’re gonna try to investigate it as long as we can, to make sure we have a good case — which is what happened in this particular case.”
Shrout, 18, of Osgood, was charged with attempted trafficking with an inmate, a Level 5 felony, along with dealing in marijuana, a Class A misdemeanor, and possession of marijuana, a Class B misdemeanor.
Gay, 29, of Greensburg, was charged with trafficking with an inmate by conspiracy and trafficking with an inmate by attempt, both Level 5 felonies.
Phillips, 35, of Milan, was charged with trafficking with an inmate by conspiracy and trafficking with an inmate by attempt, both Level 5 felonies.
Under Indiana law, trafficking with an inmate involves knowingly providing or attempting to provide prohibited items to someone confined in a jail or detention facility. A Level 5 felony carries a potential prison sentence of one to six years.
Criminal charges are accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
