Authorities in Independence County say a jailer has been charged with three counts of furnishing and delivering prohibited articles into the Independence County Detention Center.
Adam B. Ward, age 35, of Batesville, was under surveillance by authorities since June 14th 2023, when authorities received information that a jailer working for Independence County was furnishing prohibited articles to inmates such as tobacco, vapes, and phones.
Investigators with the sheriff’s department and the 16th Judicial District Drug Task Force began an investigation and discovered that Ward allowed contraband into the jail and received money in exchange.
According to court documents inmates and family members of inmates were allegedly involved and paid Ward for his services.
Ward admitted to investigators what he was doing and stated it was to supplement his income.
Investigators also discovered contraband inside Ward’s vehicle.
Authorities seized the contraband along with Ward’s cell phone.
Ward was arrested, bond was set at $15,000.00