NEW ORLEANS – Authorities arrested a deputy for the Orleans Parish Criminal Sheriff’s Office for selling contraband to an inmate.
Deputy Joel Johnson was arrested for allegedly giving an inmate a cell phone and marijuana in exchange for $500.
The incident inside the jail known as “Templeman 5."
"At the time of his arrest, Johnson was a recruit in the OPSO deputy training program. The Sheriff’s Office terminated Johnson immediately," said Mary Martin, a spokeswoman for the sheriff's office.
Johnson faces one count of malfeasance, as well as drug possession and contraband charges.
“This individual was arrested because OPSO deputies were vigilant in their duties and followed standard procedures to stop this illegal activity. The combination of technology, equipment and human capital is necessary to deal with the constant attempts by inmates to find ways to get banned substances and other contraband into jail facilities," said Sheriff Marlin Gusman.
