Sunday, March 18, 2007

Sheriff's deputy accused of smuggling drugs, vodka into parish jail

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NEW ORLEANS - A Tangiaphoa Parish sheriff's deputy was arrested after agreeing to smuggle drugs and vodka to an inmate at the parish jail, federal authorities said.

Harris Robertson, a guard at the jail in Amite, allegedly confessed to taking payments for smuggling banned items into the jail at least 10 times since September, U.S. Attorney Jim Letten said in a news release.

Authorities began investigating after the sheriff's office received tips that Robertson was smuggling alcohol, drugs, cell phones and food to inmates.

An inmate, cooperating with authorities, approached him about getting alcohol and drugs.

A federal agent, posing as the inmate's friend, met Robertson in a Hammond parking lot Thursday and gave him 15 grams of crack cocaine, two bottles of vodka and water. He also gave Robertson $300 to give the inmate the items, and Robertson said, "No problem, I can handle it," according to an affidavit signed by Chad Scott, a special agent with the federal Drug Enforcement Administration.

He was arrested and booked on a federal charge of possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine. Scott said Robertson confessed to repeatedly smuggling contraband into the jail.

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