By Harrison Grimwood
Muskogee Phoenix
TAFT, Okla. — State and county law enforcers busted an alleged contraband drop when an inmate tried to pick up 60 pounds of tobacco, two pounds of marijuana and nearly 30 cellphones.
Law enforcers allege that Michael Anthony Killingsworth, 24, of Muskogee dropped off several bags containing nine types of contraband early Sunday morning at a Taft prison, according to a media release from the Oklahoma Department of Corrections.
Jason Curlee, 31, an inmate at Jess Dunn Correctional Center, allegedly tried to pick the packages up after Killingsworth dropped them.
DOC officers confiscated 29 cellphones, 28 cellphone chargers, 242 packs of rolling papers, 60 one-pound bags of tobacco, 13 cans of smokeless tobacco, 150 pouches of smokeless tobacco, nine pounds of chewing tobacco, two pounds of marijuana and 100 lighters, according to the release.
“Correctional officers happened upon the two guys who were exchanging contraband,” DOC spokesman Alex Gerszewski said. “I guess (Curlee and Killingsworth) saw them, dropped the contraband and ran.”
Correctional officers caught up to Curlee as he was running back to the housing unit, Gerszewski said. After that, they caught up to Killingsworth as he ran back toward the road, away from the facility.
They radioed for sheriff’s deputies to pick up Killingsworth after they detained him.
"(Curlee) was given a Class X misconduct, which is basically the harshest punishment you can get in a prison setting,” Gerszewski said.
DOC officers will submit a report to the district attorney.
Curlee is serving a 10-year sentence for several convictions from Cleveland and Comanche counties, including possession of a firearm after former felony conviction, endangering others while eluding and assault with a dangerous weapon, according to DOC records.
Corrections Director Joe M. Allbaugh said in a prepared statement that the public’s and the facility’s safety were the top priority.
“Contraband poses a serious threat to the safety and security of prisons across the state,” Allbaugh said in the statement. “Because of the dangers and potential risks involved, we will continue to pursue charges against these individuals who introduce and have contraband both inside and outside of our facilities.”
Prosecutors charged Killingsworth with bringing contraband into a penal institution and possession of a cell phone in a penal institution, according to court records. He is scheduled to return to court Sept. 6.