Oxford News

Officer charged with attempting to bring drugs into LCI

Monday, March 17, 2008

Staff Report

A Lebanon Correctional Institution officer was arrested Friday for attempting to bring heroin, crack cocaine and marijuana into the prison in Turtlecreek Twp., according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

Extras

Troopers charged John H. Curless, 35, of Blanchester with third-degree felony attempting to convey drugs onto the grounds of a detention facility, fifth-degree felony possession of drugs and fifth-degree possession of criminal tools.

Troopers and Department of Rehabilitation and Correction investigators obtained information that Curless was working for an inmate to bring drugs into LCI. Curless was arrested at 3:50 p.m. Friday after troopers caught him meeting his contact to pick up the drugs that were intended to be taken into the prison, according to the patrol.

Curless was held in the Warren County Jail and was expected in court today, March 17. If convicted, he faces up to seven years in prison and a $15,000 fine.