MIDDLEBURG, Fla. -- The Clay County Sheriff's Office arrested seven people, a mix of inmates and civilians, in connection with a contraband smuggling ring at the jail.
The 3-month-long investigation began in November when detectives noticed a spike in the amount of contraband coming into the jail. Deputies found batteries, cocaine, cigarettes, lighters, tobacco, razor blades and other items that, "caused concern regarding the safety and security of the inmates and staff."
Investigators say the items were being dropped off by people on the outside at various areas such as Animal Control, the Agricultural Center, and the agency garage. Items were hidden in lobby bathrooms, visitation bathrooms by visitors. The contraband was then being picked up and brought into the jail by trustees who worked in those particular areas.
Kimberly Dane Fout, 40, was arrested for conspiracy and solicitation to introduce contraband into a secured jail facility She is the boyfriend of inmate Daniel Roscoe Reese, 42, who is also charged with solicitation and conspiracy to introduce contraband into a secured jail facility.
Investigators say Reese asked Fout to buy several items that were considered contraband for inmates. According to recorded conversations, Reese also told Fout to bring the items to pre-determined locations where trustee inmates would be waiting to smuggle them into the jail. The recorded conversations also indicated Fout received money from inmate accounts to buy drugs and deliver them to the same pre-determined locations.
One of those inmates is 25-year-old Adam Ryan Ley. He's been charged with solicitation and conspiracy to introduce contraband into a secured jail facility. Authorities say Ley released $100 from his account to Fout. Reese, according to investigators, insinuated during the recorded conversations, the money was for contraband "that would be smuggled back into the jail" for Ley.
Another Clay County inmate faces charges in the smuggling ring. Reginald Rasheem Young, 31, is accused of solicitation and conspiracy to introduce contraband into a secured jail facility. According to recorded conversations, Young was also calling someone on "the outside" to buy and deliver contraband to locations where others would sneak them into the jail. Investigators say those calls went to 28-year-old Tara Luann Epps. She's been arrested and charged with conspiracy and solicitation to commit a criminal act.
Inmate Keith Allen Ysbrand is also facing charges. He's been arrested on one count of criminal conspiracy and solicitation to introduce contraband into a secured jail facility. Recorded conversations show him asking his girlfriend, Kristi Bowman, to buy pills and drop them off at the dog pound, also known as Clay County Animal Control. Bowman told Ysbrand that she'd bring Tara Epps along to help make the drop.
The sheriff's office says more arrests are possible.
