By Adam Duvernay
Times-Picayune
(AP photo) |
NEW ORLEANS — An investigation by the Orleans Parish Criminal Sheriff’s Office has landed a former deputy in a holding cell he guarded no more than a week ago.
Gary Lenox was arrested after an internal investigation revealed he was bringing contraband into the parish prison, Criminal Sheriff Marin Gusman said Thursday at a news conference.
Lenox, hired by the Sheriff’s Office in July 2007, is being held in protective custody in lieu of a $20,000 bond, his case awaiting review by the district attorney’s office.
Lenox was charged with malfeasance in office, introduction of contraband into a penal institution and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute after his arrest Wednesday about 7 p.m.
Each of the charges is a felony that could result in a prison sentence of more than a year, if the former deputy is found guilty.
When he was arrested, Lenox had at least 2 ounces of marijuana and tobacco cigarettes wrapped inside rubber gloves that were hidden inside his uniform, Gusman said. The contraband also included a cell phone.
“This puts everyone at risk, and we will not tolerate it,” Gusman said.
Lenox was arrested before the contraband reached the intended recipients. Gusman said he believes the marijuana and tobacco were meant for four inmates.
Inmates Charles Andrews, 36; Russell Bentley, 43; Christopher Browder, 25; and Shawn Lee, 26, all charged earlier with a mix of violent crimes, were booked for conspiracy to introduce contraband into a penal institution.
The sheriff declined to release other details of the investigation.
Gusman said the investigation began a few weeks ago, but said the introduction of drugs into the prison is an ongoing problem.
Gusman said holding a news press conference was an important way to highlight the problem and would serve as a deterrent for other potential criminals.
Drugs will “still find their way in, and we’ll do our best to be there to catch it,” Gusman said. “But it’ll keep happening.”
The Orleans Parish jail has had previous instances of contraband smuggling. A three-month investigation last winter resulted in the arrests of several individuals outside the jail system who were attempting to supply drugs.
Copyright 2009 The Times-Picayune Publishing Company