Pubdate: Thu, 25 Jul 2002
Source: Herald-Dispatch, The (WV)
Copyright: 2002 The Herald-Dispatch
Contact: http://www.herald-dispatch.com/hdinfo/letters.html
Website: http://www.hdonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1454
Author: Lee Arnold

WAYNE COUNTY CORRECTIONS OFFICER CHARGED WITH SELLING DRUGS

WAYNE -- A Wayne County corrections officer has been charged with 
delivering controlled substances to inmates of the Wayne County Jail, 
following an investigation that began over the weekend.

The Wayne County Sheriff's Department received a tip that one of the 
corrections officers was selling marijuana and a prescription painkiller to 
the inmates. After investigating the lead, police arrested Danny L. 
Mollette, 25, of Crum, Monday, and charged him with delivery of a 
controlled substance inside of a jail, a felony.

Mollette later was released on $5,000 bond.

Wayne County Sheriff Dave Pennington said a man smuggled 35-40 Lorcet 
tablets, and an undetermined amount of marijuana into the jail during the 
weekend. The man received $200 for the drugs, Pennington said.

Some of the narcotics taken into the jail were later allegedly purchased 
from the inmates by a person working closely with the sheriff's department. 
It is not known how many inmates allegedly purchased drugs, Pennington said.

Police purchased a small amount of Lorcet tablets and one marijuana joint 
during the controlled buys. Pennington said the items purchased from 
inmates were the only drugs recovered by police.

The jail was searched and nothing else was recovered, Pennington said.

Pennington said more arrests are likely.

Mollette has been an employee at the Wayne County Jail since May. If 
convicted, Mollette faces one to five years in jail.
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