Nine people arrested after SCI officials reportedly intercept prison contraband
Nine people have been arrested after Sussex Correctional Institute officials reportedly stopped a prison contraband in Georgetown.
According to Sussex Correctional Institute officials, investigators began an early search on the introduction of suboxone in the facility. The investigation which was referred to as “Operation Sunkist” reportedly ended up with the arrest of multiple sentenced inmates along with several civilians who, officials say, were sending the contraband through U.S mail. Between June 3 and July 21, several deliveries of suboxone, a prescription drug used to treat opioid dependence was reportedly hid by various methods and stopped in the institute’s mail room.
The investigation concluded that Johnny Stockley got or tried to get, eight suboxone deliveries from 35-year-old Jeremy Piatt between April 1 and July 8. To try and separate the source, Shockley reportedly hired inmates inmates John Winter, Steven Schaeffer, and Thomas Bundick to receive the packages that had the contraband in them.
Jeremy Piatt, of New Castle, was reportedly charged with racketeering, eight counts of possession with intent to deliver, eight counts of second degree conspiracy, eight counts of third degree conspiracy, and eight counts of promoting prison contraband. He was also reportedly arrested by the New Castle County Police Department and put in to the Department of Correction replacing bail.
Officials say Johnny Shockley was charged with racketeering, eight counts of possession with intent to deliver, eight counts of second degree criminal solicitation, eight counts of second degree conspiracy, eight counts of third degree conspiracy, and eight counts of promoting prison contraband. At the moment, Shockley is reportedly serving an unrelated sentence.
Thomas Bundick was reportedly charged with two counts of third degree conspiracy and two counts of promoting prison contraband.
John Winter was reportedly charged with third degree conspiracy and promoting prison contraband.
Steven Schaeffer was reportedly charged with five counts of third degree conspiracy and five counts of promoting prison contraband for participating in the contraband.
Dustin Drew, who officials say got one suboxone strip from his mother Sharon Drew, was reportedly charged with criminal solicitation, second degree conspiracy, promoting prison contraband, and third degree conspiracy. Sharon Drew, of Harbeson, was reportedly arrested for possession with intent to deliver, second degree conspiracy, promoting prison contraband, and third degree conspiracy. She was reportedly released on unsecured bail.
36-year-old Sarah Keil, of Millsboro, was reportedly arrested after officials say, she sent two packages with suboxone to Sussex Correctional Institute inmate Andrew Moore. She was reportedly charged with two counts of possession with intent to deliver, two counts of second degree conspiracy, promoting prison contraband, and two counts of third degree conspiracy. She was reportedly released on unsecured bail. Andrew Moore was reportedly charged with two counts of criminal solicitation, two counts of second degree conspiracy, two counts of promoting prison contraband, and two counts of third degree conspiracy. Moore was reportedly serving an unrelated sentence at the time.
Officials say nine people were arrested with an overall 138 charges and 19 administrative disciplinary charges.
