Pubdate: Sat, 22 Jul 2000
Source: Oklahoman, The (OK)
Copyright: 2000 The Oklahoma Publishing Co.
Contact:  P.O. Box 25125, Oklahoma City, OK 73125
Feedback: http://www.oklahoman.com/?ed-writeus
Website: http://www.oklahoman.com/
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Author: Ed Godfrey

JURORS INDICT PRISON HELPER

A chaplain's volunteer at the Federal Correctional Institution in El
Reno was accused Friday of trying to smuggle marijuana into the prison
in her underwear.

Ledema Seahmer, 50, of Gracemont was indicted by a federal grand jury
in Oklahoma City Friday and accused with El Reno inmate Jesus Macias,
33, of conspiring to smuggle marijuana into the prison.

According to court records, Seahmer is an ordained minister and leader
of the Native American Indian Worship Services at the federal prison.

She failed to inform prison officials that her father, George Akeen
Sr., is an inmate at the prison when she volunteered to conduct
worship services, court records show.

Federal prosecutors allege Seahmer tried to smuggle a package of
marijuana at Macias' request into the prison during the Native
American Indian worship service on June 30.

The FBI had been tipped to the smuggling operation and executed a
search warrant on Seahmer when she arrived at the prison, court
records show.

The marijuana was found in a plastic bag wrapped in black electrical
tape and a white paper towel, according the affidavit of FBI Special
Agent Christopher Wagner. The package was concealed in her underwear,
the affidavit states.

Seahmer admitted she intended to smuggle the marijuana into the prison
at Macias' request, the affidavit states. She is free on a $5,000 bond. 
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