Source: The Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)
Contact:  http://www.gomemphis.com/
Fax: 901-529-6445
Address: Box 334, Memphis, TN 38101
Pubdate: July, 8, 1998
Author: Bill Dries

3 OFFICERS JAILED IN MARIJUANA PROBE AT PRISON

Three officers at the Shelby County Correction Center were arrested Tuesday
and charged with trying to bring marijuana into the prison.

The three officers were arrested in separate incidents. County Corrections
Division Director Rob Sprecher said that, in each case, undercover officers
with the Sheriff's Department's Narcotics Unit and the Correction Center
arranged for the officers to bring marijuana into the prison in exchange
for $100. When the officers agreed to the terms they were arrested,
Sprecher said.

"We didn't want to take the chance of losing the dope or actually having it
smuggled into the institution," he said.

Charged with possesion of a controlled substance with intent to deliver were:

- -- Charlie Frank, 22, a corrections officer since February.

- -- Grandison Taylor, 40, who became a corrections officer three years ago
this month.

- -- Dwight Wilson, 32, a seven-year corrections officer.

All three worked in various parts of the prison at different times,
Sprecher said.

In the sting operation, the undercover officers offered the guards $100 to
deliver a package containing marijuana to a fictional inmate.

Six other corrections officers and employees at the East Memphis center
have been arrested on similar charges in the past year, he said.

"We had some information about these employees, but we're constantly
investigating rumors about the introduction of contraband and acting on it."

In addition to the criminal charges, Sprecher said Frank, Taylor and Wilson
will each face administrative hearings this month on charges they violated
prison policies.

To reach reporter Bill Dries, call 529-2643 or send E-mail  

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Checked-by: Mike Gogulski