Scott County Jail incident leads to additional felony charges
FOX23 News at 9 p.m.
SCOTT COUNTY, Mo., (KBSI) — Scott County Sheriff’s Office announced additional criminal charges following a jail incident involving an inmate earlier this month.
Formal charges were filed Jan. 10 against Jermaine Mitchell for delivery or concealment of contraband and tampering with physical evidence. Mitchell was being held at the Scott County Jail on a 48-hour detention order issued by Missouri Probation and Parole when corrections officers received information indicating he may have brought contraband into the facility.
Sheriff Derick Wheetley said officers observed Mitchell pacing in his cell and displaying unusual behavior. When officers entered the cell and ordered Mitchell to step out, he dropped a small gray plastic bag onto the floor and attempted to retrieve it. Investigators said Mitchell then pulled away from officers and placed the bag in his mouth in an apparent attempt to conceal or destroy evidence.
Officers restrained Mitchell and ordered him to spit out the item, which they said emitted a strong odor consistent with marijuana. A subsequent search of the cell and housing pod led to the discovery of additional contraband, including two brown blunt wraps commonly used as drug paraphernalia. One of the wraps contained tobacco residue. All items were collected as evidence.
Jail staff also reviewed intake body-scanner images and identified a foreign object concealed in the sole of Mitchell’s right shoe. Investigators determined the contraband had been intentionally hidden prior to Mitchell entering the facility. The sheriff’s office said the item was inadvertently missed during the initial intake scan and that additional training is being conducted for staff on body-scanner review procedures.
During the investigation, officers documented signs of possible drug influence, including pacing, repeated use of the inmate call button, rapid and incoherent speech, excessive sweating and glassy eyes. Mitchell was transported to a local medical facility for evaluation and was later cleared for confinement. Authorities said it remains unknown whether Mitchell ingested or used additional substances prior to his detention.
Mitchell was charged with delivery or concealment of a prohibited item in a jail facility and tampering with physical evidence. Under Missouri law, knowingly delivering or attempting to introduce prohibited items, including controlled substances, into a correctional facility is a felony offense.
Mitchell was issued a $50,000 cash or surety bond, which has since been posted. He was released pending further court proceedings. Authorities said additional charges related to probation violations may be pursued.
