Pubdate: Wed, 19 Jul 2006 Source: Palm Beach Post, The (FL) Copyright: 2006 The Palm Beach Post Contact: http://www.palmbeachpost.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/333 Author: Jill Taylor, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/corrupt.htm (Corruption - United States) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Marijuana) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine) PRISON OFFICER PLANNED TO SMUGGLE IN DRUGS, AUTHORITIES SAY FORT PIERCE - A state prison officer is charged with planning to smuggle drugs into Martin Correctional Institution north of Indiantown in exchange for payments from inmates, according to arrest records released Tuesday. Ted Linden Vetovitz, 42, of Okeechobee was arrested Monday when he met with an undercover Florida Department of Law Enforcement agent who was supposed to pay him $2,000 to deliver 2 ounces of cocaine and 4 ounces of marijuana to an unnamed inmate at MCI. Vetovitz was held at the St. Lucie County jail Tuesday on $170,000 bail on charges of official misconduct, trafficking in cocaine and possession of marijuana with intent to deliver. FDLE spokeswoman Susie Murphy said an inmate went to authorities when Vetovitz made the offer to get drugs or alcohol, and Department of Corrections officials asked the Inspector General and FDLE to investigate. No evidence was found to indicate Vetovitz had actually brought any contraband into the prison, but officials expect to hear from more inmates as word of the arrest circulates, Murphy said. Vetovitz was hired by the state in 1998 and has worked at MCI the entire time with the exception of a couple of weeks at Indian River Correctional, records show. Corrections officials said they have begun the process of suspending or firing Vetovitz. Murphy said no other officers were implicated and no inmates are facing any charges at this stage of the investigation. Martin Correctional houses various custody levels of male inmates, including many who are serving lengthy terms for violent felonies. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake