A woman who shared a kiss with a prisoner during a visitation in Tennessee has been charged with murder after the inmate died shortly after their exchange.
Rachel Dollard was taken into custody over the weekend by special agents from the Tennessee Department of Correction (TDOC) and the Dickson County Sheriff’s Department, the TDOC confirmed in a statement on Tuesday.
She is accused of smuggling drugs into the Turney Center Industrial Complex.
Dollard is facing charges of second-degree murder and introduction of contraband into a penal facility and is currently being held in the Hickman County jail, the TDOC said.
The charges come after the death of Joshua Brown, who was serving an 11-year sentence on drug-related charges. His sentence was set to expire in 2029.
During a visitation in February, authorities allege Dollard passed drugs to Brown “as the two exchanged a kiss during visitation at the Turney Center Industrial Complex.” Dollard was allegedly hiding half an ounce of methamphetamine in her mouth and was able to pass it to Brown orally.
He swallowed the balloon pellet containing the drug but died later of an overdose at a local hospital.
Dollard was charged on a warrant from a sealed indictment in Hickman County.
“This incident points to the real dangers of introducing contraband into prisons and the consequences that follow,” said David Imhof, director of TDOC’s Office of Investigations and Conduct.
“Our agency will pursue prosecution against any individual who threatens the safety and security of our staff, the men and women in our custody, and our facilities.”
The Department of Correction stressed that it uses “a variety of tools to try to prevent the introduction of contraband into Tennessee prisons including pat searches of anyone entering a facility, vehicle and cell searches, and drug detection dogs.”
Body scanners are also being placed in all facilities.
Latest Stories
-
EPL: Jordan Ayew late goal salvages draw for Leicester against Ipswich
5 mins -
ESCO VOLTA holds meeting to strengthen cross-border cooperation in security, development
6 mins -
Kufuor Scholar champions Agricultural Innovation through Fidelity GreenTech Challenge
15 mins -
EPL: Isak scores at home again as Newcastle beat Arsenal
24 mins -
I’m proud that despite all the challenges, we have maintained Free SHS – Akufo Addo
4 hours -
Alan’s running mate, KOD says GRASP will revolutionize care for the Elderly in rural areas
4 hours -
Election 2024: Alan paints Accra yellow as the crowd marches through the capital with him
4 hours -
Vacant seats: Speaker has not done what would have led to greater peace – Kofi Bentil
4 hours -
Police on manhunt for Adabraka daylight robbers
4 hours -
Lordina Mahama presents medical supplies and equipment to Tishigu Health Center
4 hours -
Lordina Mahama urges Ghanaians to prioritise regular health screenings
4 hours -
EC to reassess decision on presidential ballot printing next week – Dr Bossman Asare
5 hours -
Shark attacks surfer, 61, on Hawaiian island of Maui
5 hours -
29 Nigerian children may be sentenced to death for protesting against cost-of-living crisis
5 hours -
Nigerian becomes first black woman to lead major political party in the UK
6 hours