By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
Alabama Department of Corrections officers intercepted a major contraband drop outside Fountain Correctional Facility near Atmore over the weekend, leading to multiple arrests and new charges against an inmate.
Authorities say a trespasser was tracked and apprehended by an ADOC K-9 unit near the facility. Around the same time, the Atmore Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a related vehicle, resulting in the arrest of two suspects and the discovery of two firearms.
Investigators recovered one package outside the prison perimeter. During a follow-up security sweep, correctional staff confiscated a second package from an inmate inside the facility. Combined, the contraband included approximately 750 grams of marijuana, 15 cell phones, and a knife.
Three people were arrested and transported to the Escambia County Detention Facility. De’Ja Johnson, 29, faces multiple charges, including attempting to commit a controlled-substance crime, promoting prison contraband, possession of marijuana, firearm violations, and chemical endangerment. Sa’vion Gilchrist, 19, faces similar charges, including promoting prison contraband and firearm possession. A third suspect, a juvenile, was also detained but not identified.
Inmate Justin Hoyle is facing additional criminal charges along with administrative disciplinary action.
“ADOC has zero tolerance for contraband,” said Commissioner John Q. Hamm.
Officials say contraband drops remain a serious issue, with smuggled cell phones often used to coordinate criminal activity from inside prisons. Authorities urge anyone with information to report it immediately.