Pubdate: Wed, 29 Dec 1999
Source: Cincinnati Enquirer (OH)
Copyright: 1999 The Cincinnati Enquirer
Contact:  http://enquirer.com/editor/letters.html
Website: http://enquirer.com/today/
Author: Sheila Mclaughlin, The Cincinnati Enquirer

DRUGS PUT IN PRISON COFFEE

LEBANON -- A Dayton, Ohio, woman is accused of sharing more than a cup
of java with an inmate during a visit last month to the Warren
Correctional Institution.

Authorities say Angela Dickard spiked the coffee with drug-laden
balloons in an attempt to smuggle crack cocaine, marijuana and
prescription nerve pills into the state prison.

Ms. Dickard, 22, of the 1600 block of Larchwood Drive, was indicted
Tuesday on one felony charge each of illegal conveyance of drugs onto
the grounds of a detention facility, possession of cocaine and
possession of criminal tools.

Acting on an anonymous tip that Ms. Dickard would try to smuggle drugs
into WCI, the prison posted an undercover officer in the inmate
visitation room Nov. 20, Warren County Prosecutor Tim Oliver said.

Ms. Dickard made a trip to the restroom and returned with a cup of
coffee, which the unnamed inmate began to drink, he said.

93He appeared to have trouble swallowing,94 Mr. Oliver said, describing
what piqued the officer's suspicion.

Ten balloons containing drugs were recovered, and four of them were in
the coffee cup, authorities said. It was unclear Tuesday how many, if
any, the inmate swallowed.

Officials with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the agency charged with
investigating alleged crimes at state prisons, said they suspected the
inmate might have planned to conceal the drugs and later use them.

Ms. Dickard is to appear for arraignment Jan. 7 in Warren County
Common Pleas Court. The charges each carry up to one year in prison.

She was charged immediately after the incident, but was released from
jail after posting bail before the case was presented to a Warren
County grand jury.

The inmate has not yet been charged, but the incident remains under
investigation, patrol Sgt. Gary Lewis said.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Derek Rea