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MEDIA RELEASE Contact: Lieutenant Greg Stark Release Date: August 13, 2021 Release Time: 12:40 PM
Smuggled Drugs Cause Medical Aid at the Calaveras County Jail
On August 12, 2021, at about 5:35 PM, a Calaveras County correctional officer was conducting routine security checks in the County Jail. While doing so, the correctional officer noticed a female, 37 years of age of Murphys, CA, was lying face down in one of the observation cells. The correctional officer suspected the inmate was experiencing a medical emergency, summoned additional officers and entered the cell.
While administering the medical aid, correctional officers noticed a white powdery substance on the cell floor and moved all parties from the immediate area. Both the correctional officer and female inmate displayed symptoms of possible exposure/overdose of an opioid. Multiple emergency doses of Narcan (Narcan / Naloxone Nasal Spray is approved for the treatment of known or suspected opioid overdose) was administered to the correctional officer and Inmate. Both responded to the Narcan, however, they remained in medical distress and were rushed to the Mark Twain Medical Center Emergency Room for treatment.
Deputies later questioned the inmate regarding the powdery substance that was observed in her cell. The inmate told investigators that she was aware that she would be incarcerated due to a surrender of a bail bond and, in preparation for her incarceration, she had secreted and “smuggled Fentanyl” into the jail. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is stronger than morphine and heroin. The inmate admitted that she had used the Fentanyl while in in her cell and had accidentally overdosed.
Upon being discharged from the hospital, the inmate was returned to the jail and additionally charged with 4573 PC Bringing a Controlled Substance into Jail (Felony), 245.3 PC Assault Upon a Correctional Officer Means Likely to Produce Great Bodily Harm (Felony), 11350 H&S Possession of a Controlled Substance, and 11350 H&S Under the Influence of a Controlled Substance as well as an Amador County Superior Court warrant listing 2 counts of 459 PC Burglary (Felony) with a $250,000 bail and a warrant issued from the Calaveras County Superior Court listing a charge of 496PC Receiving Known Stolen Property (Felony) with no bail.
The Calaveras County Sheriff’s Hazardous Material Team responded to collect the unknown substance and to decontaminate all areas and staff of possible exposure. The extensive decontamination procedure was conducted throughout the night.
The substance will be sent to the Department of Justice for further analysis. The correctional officer was released after treatment and is expected to make a full recovery.
No further information will be released at this time as the investigation is ongoing.
Address/Location
Calaveras County Sheriff's Office
Jeff Tuttle Dr
San Andreas, CA 95249
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 209-754-6500