COLUMBUS, Ind. — Three people from Columbus were arrested Tuesday for allegedly trying to traffic drugs into the Bartholomew County Jail.
Investigators with the Bartholomew County Sheriff's Office allege 26-year-old Kelsa Burton placed suboxone on the grounds of the county courthouse, under the direction of 31-year-old Erik Peetz II, who was an inmate at the county jail. Justin Bowles, 41, also an inmate at the jail, then retrieved the drugs to bring back to the jail.
The suspicious activity was noticed by county correctional officers while transporting inmates to the courthouse for hearings.
The Bartholomew County Prosecutor's Office formally charged the suspects with the following:
- Burton: Dealing in a Schedule III controlled substance, conspiracy to commit dealing in a Schedule III controlled substance, trafficking with an inmate outside a facility and possession of a controlled substance
- Peetz: Conspiracy to commit dealing in a Schedule III controlled substance
- Bowles: Conspiracy to commit dealing in a Schedule III controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance
“Attempted drug trafficking into the jail is a severe offense, not only because of the criminal charges but also because it endangers the safety and order of the facility," Bartholomew County Sheriff Chris Lane said. "These cases will be thoroughly and aggressively investigated to prevent any future attempts."
The investigation is ongoing, the sheriff's office said in a release announcing the arrests.