Sumter deputies intercept $350,000 in contraband before it reached Lee Correctional Institution
2 suspects arrested, 1 was maintenance worker at prison
After a month-long investigation by the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office and the South Carolina Department of Corrections, law enforcement uncovered an operation involving a Wedgefield woman, a maintenance worker at Lee Correctional Institution and an inmate at Lee.
The sheriff’s office seized $350,000 worth of contraband during a traffic stop on Dec. 16, 2019, from Jessica Nichole Colclough Frasier, 31, of Wedgefield.
Frasier was planning to deliver the contraband to a Lee Correctional Institution maintenance worker, Michael Mattox, 55, of Ridgeway, who then planned to deliver the contraband to an inmate who has not yet been identified, according to Chrysti Shain, communications director of South Carolina Department of Corrections.
The contraband included marijuana, cellphones, tobacco, rolling papers, phone chargers and lighters, all of which were found in Frasier’s vehicle during the traffic stop and later in her home.
During the investigation, other charges were filed against Frasier and Mattox, including bringing contraband to an inmate at the prison five times between Nov. 1 and Dec. 16.
Mattox was charged with two counts of criminal conspiracy and furnishing contraband to prisoner(s). He was fired from his job at the correctional center after his arrest.
Frasier was charged with two counts of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, two counts of criminal conspiracy and furnishing contraband to prisoner(s).
The inmate’s charges are pending and the suspect is currently incarcerated at Lee Correctional.