The Herald Bulletin
PENDLETON, Ind. — An officer at the Pendleton Correctional Industrial Facility was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of attempting to smuggle drugs into the facility.
According to a press release from the prison, Mark Wooten of Westfield is charged with trafficking in a controlled substance with an inmate, a Level 6 felony; and possession of a controlled substance, a Level 5 felony.
Two-hundred strips of suboxone, with an estimated value of more than $20,000, were reportedly confiscated from Wooten. Strips of the drug are used to treat opioid addiction.
Meanwhile, authorities in Lebanon have taken Sherrie Ausherman, 52, of Lebanon into custody on a warrant issued in Madison County. The felony charge is trafficking with an inmate. She is being held at the Madison County Jail on $20,000 bond.
Lebanon Police Chief Tyson Warmoth said a joint task force comprised of DOC, Hamilton County, the Drug Enforcement Administration and United States Postal inspectors had Ausherman under surveillance.
The arrest is the second this month of a correctional officer suspected of trafficking drugs with an offender.
Indiana State Police arrested Shyritta R. Wells, 28, 4100 block of South Pinewood, Muncie, on Aug. 1 at the Pendleton Correctional Facility and charged her with Level 6 felony trafficking with an inmate, Class B misdemeanor possession of marijuana, hash oil, hashish, and Level 5 felony possession of a controlled substance.