Smith County TX March 8 2020
A Smith County Jail detention officer is now on the other side of the bars after he allegedly smuggled chew tobacco, a phone and security tools to inmates.
Lance Watson, 59, of Tyler, was arrested on a prohibited substance within a correctional facility charge Thursday after an investigation into allegations against him, according to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office.
When personnel conducted a “shakedown” of the specified inmate areas within the jail, they found contraband items and a cell phone that were concealed.
Sheriff Larry Smith said officials found tins of chew tobacco and peanut butter jars with a tube of razor blades inside. There were also security tools that were used to remove screws from an intercom. The opening was then used to move contraband into the jail cell.
When Watson came in for his shift Wednesday evening, he was approached and investigators found six fast food hamburgers in his lunch box with cans of chew tobacco sandwiched between the buns, Smith said.
Watson was then booked into Smith County Jail with a $75,000 bond. He was later sent to another jail facility outside of Smith County for safety and security reasons, the sheriff’s office said. According to online records, Watson is now in Gregg County Jail.
The sheriff’s office said at least two inmates were involved. They have been moved to another part of the jail, separated and their commissary rights were terminated, Smith said.
He said the inmates may face charges as the investigation continues.
Watson was at the jail for a year as a detention officer. He was previously a detention officer at a facility in Brown County, Smith said.
“He was pretty much a model employee, but that’s what you’d expect. Somebody that’s going to be doing things like this, they don’t want any red flags out there,” Smith said.
He said inmates having any kind of a contraband is a safety and security concern. Inmates could trade contraband both in and outside of the jail, which creates problems within the facility.
“It’s bad enough when you have other inmates bringing contraband, but when you have someone that’s trusted,” Smith said. “I’ve been law enforcement for 45 years and I despise someone, that should be held and I held to a higher standard, tarnishing the reputation and the badge of a law enforcement officer.”
While the investigation is ongoing, Smith said the evidence is leading toward the possibility of being related to drug transactions both inside and outside the jail.
The sheriff’s office also found more contraband items after using a search warrant on Watson’s apartment. There were also indications of other types of drugs, but none have been found so far, Smith said.
Investigators also found what they believe to be a drug transaction ledger. Smith said finding the cell phone and the drugs with the inmates leads officers to believe transactions were being made.
Watson could also face additional charges after what could be a “fairly lengthy investigation,” Smith added.
While there are several jailer openings, Smith said the sheriff’s office would work shorthanded before working with dishonest people.
After having 42 openings for detention officers about six weeks ago, the number has lowered to about 20 open spots, he added.
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