A correctional officer for the Marion County Regional Correctional Facility was arrested May 14 for distributing contraband to inmates and fired.
Jonathan Lenoir, 27, of Tylertown was charged with four counts of introduction of contraband into a correctional facility and is being held on $60,000 bond — $15,000 for each charge. As of press deadline Tuesday, Lenoir remained behind bars.
Maj. Zack Guidroz said it was roughly a three-month long investigation, and he was able to catch Lenoir inside the facility with two pounds of tobacco, three cellphones and three cell phone chargers, leading to the arrest.
“It’s a battle that unfortunately is going to continue to happen,” Guidroz added. “It’s never ending; we know that. We get rid of one, and it’s replaced by another. But we do take it very serious, and we intend on prosecuting to the fullest extent. Hopefully this is a deterrent for anybody else who wants to bring contraband in.”
Another employee was terminated as a part of the investigation for breach of policy, but Guidroz said he can’t comment on administrative issues.
