A correctional officer who allegedly had contraband items in her car is out of a job after being booked on charges at the same Escambia County jail where she had been working part-time.
Annie Tolbert Crook of Homer Hudson Lane in Bay Minette was arrested Dec. 2 and charged with first-degree promoting prison contraband after officials with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Department received a tip involving her alleged illegal activity.
“We had received information that she was involved in bringing illegal contraband into the facility,” Escambia County Chief Deputy Mike Lambert said. “When we received information that she was expected to be bringing in contraband into the facility on the day she was arrested, our deputies met her at the door and performed a search for the contraband items.”
Lambert said the initial search did not uncover any of the items.
“We did, however, get consent from her to search her vehicle,” he said.
Lambert said that search turned up several items considered contraband at the facility.
“Deputies found a bag containing several packages of Bugler cigarette tobacco, rolling papers and cell phones,” he said. “We found two packages that were rolled-up sort of in the shape of a football and covered in duct tape. When those packaged were opened, our deputies found loose cigarette tobacco and a pocket knife.”
Lambert said the tobacco is considered contraband at the Escambia County Detention Center, as is any cell phone device or knife.
“We have enforcement officers who put their lives on the line every day dealing with this kind of stuff,” Lambert said. “Our correctional officers do the same thing at the facility. We will certainly not tolerate one of our own bringing in the items that we work so hard to keep out of the facility. These are things we try to keep out of the facility to keep somebody from getting hurt or getting killed.”
Lambert said the correctional officer was released immediately from her position once she had been arrested.
“She had only been working with us for a short time and was a part-time employee,” Lambert said. “She was arrested and spent the night with us on the other side of the fence.”
Crook was released on $20,000 bond.