Quanessa Footman Booking Photo
Attempt to Smuggle Marijuana Into Jail Results in Arrest
Indian River County Sheriff’s Office detectives and corrections personnel joined efforts to stop the introduction of marijuana and other contraband into the jail on Wednesday, October 21, 2015.
Investigators from the Special Investigations Unit were contacted when corrections staff learned of a plan to leave contraband in a trash can within the visitors area of the jail. Through a series of recorded phone calls, jail officials became aware of Quanessa Footman’s intention to smuggle illegal items into the facility for an inmate already incarcerated.
Detectives maintained surveillance of the area identified as the drop location and later observed Footman leaving a small package wrapped in cellophane in a trash can as planned during the phone calls with the inmate. The package was found to contain 6.5 grams of marijuana, 8 cigarettes, and a disposable lighter.
Indian River County Sheriff Deryl Loar stated, “The introduction of contraband, such as cigarettes and a lighter, into a correctional facility causes increased risk to our jail staff and the inmates. When the contraband is an intoxicant such as an illegal drug, that risk is even higher and the security of those in the facility has the potential to be compromised. These items can easily become the catalyst for violence when they are used for bartering or when they are stolen by other inmates. I am proud and appreciative of the astute staff at the jail and of our investigators for helping to prevent these items from entering the facility.”
Quanessa L. Footman (31) of Sebastian, Florida, was arrested as she was leaving the visitation facility. She was charged with introduction of contraband into a detention facility, a third degree felony, and possession of under 20 grams of marijuana, a first degree misdemeanor. She posted $11,000 bond and was released pending her next court date of December 7, 2015.
Charges for the intended recipient of the contraband are forthcoming. The inmate’s identity is not yet being released as that portion of the investigation is still active.
