The confiscation of an illegal cell phone led to an internal investigation at the Marion County Regional Correctional Facility, which ended with a correctional officer behind bars for smuggling multiple illegal items into the jail.
In April, an inmate was found to be in possession of a cell phone, and an investigation into its origin informed jail staff that one of their own correctional officers was smuggling illegal narcotics and other banned items into the jail.
Maj. Zack Guidroz said the jail begins an investigation any time illegal contraband is found, and it wasn’t long before it pointed to Marcy Parker, 34, of Columbia.
Parker was charged with introduction or possession of contraband into a correctional facility and conspiracy to commit a felony. Her total bond was at $25,000, and she has since bonded out of jail.
“We take security of the facility very seriously, and Marion County is going to hold our officers to a high standard and they’re not above the law,” Guidroz said.
