A Hattiesburg man is now sitting in the same Marion County Jail where he tried to illegally enter for the purpose of delivering and hiding contraband.
During the early morning hours of Oct. 13, Maurice Dwayne Fells, 31, of Hattiesburg, allegedly cut the fence at the jail, entered the grounds and buried some contraband. Correctional officers saw a black male around the exterior of the prison and, when they attempted to make contact, he got away, according to Major Zack Guidroz.
The contraband that was buried included methamphetamines, marijuana, synthetic marijuana, Xanax and anabolic steroids.
Law enforcement officers were able to identify a vehicle believed to be involved in a nearby apartment complex. The K-9 unit was called in and a search of the vehicle revealed a positive test result for narcotics. The vehicle was towed by law enforcement.
Fells was identified as a suspect as the result of the investigation. He was later located at his girlfriend’s residence in Forrest County. Deputies from the Forrest County Sheriff’s Office made entry into the residence, where Fells was found hiding in a closet.
Fells was arrested Thursday and initially charged with two counts of introduction of contraband into a correction facility, which was later increased to five counts. He is currently in the Marion County Jail on a $125,000 cash bond.
In addition to the charges in Marion County, Fells is also wanted in Lamar County, as well as other charges against him by the Hattiesburg City Police. Fells was out on parole at this time this incident occurred, Guidroz said.
Guidroz said he appreciates all of the hard work and cooperation from the Marion County Jail, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Columbia Police Department, Forrest County Sheriff’s Office and Lamar County Sheriff’s Office.
