Jailer cites 12 inmates after contraband sweep

Whitley County Detention Center staff charged a dozen inmates over the holiday weekend with either promoting contraband or criminal mischief following various searches at the jail.
Chief Deputy Jailer Bob O’Neill cited Ray L. Banks, 44, of Williamsburg, with second-degree promoting contraband about 7:15 a.m. Friday.
Banks, who is a trustee at the jail, went out the back door without permission and retrieved an ash tray that the kitchen staff had utilized for cigarette filters, according to O’Neill’s citation.
“He attempted to hide it on a shelf in the day storage area. The offender confessed to Deputy Cecil Powers that he in fact had committed the offense,” O’Neill noted on the citation, which added that Deputy Jailer Harvey Alder was outside
Jail staff cited seven inmates with second-degree criminal mischief on Dec. 24 following a search about 10:20 p.m. that evening in cell block 233.
According to various arrest citations, deputy jailers Cecil Powers and Coy Wilson discovered mortar missing between blocks in the cell wall allowing inmates to see into cell 234, and no individual inmate would take responsibility for the action.
Those cited included: David Perkins, 29, of Woodbine; Gerald Ray Kier, 33, of Williamsburg; Jerry Dale Vaughn, 28, of Corbin; Robert W. Bishop, 47, of Teaberry; Larry C. Osborne, 25, of Rockholds; Steve Brown, 22, of Woodbine, and Omas Napier, 45, of Corbin.
During a search of the same cell block last month, jailers cited six people with promoting contraband after a tobacco product was found in the cell, but no one claimed ownership.
Also Saturday evening, Jailer Ken Mobley cited Thomas Ryan Kellogg, 23, of Jellico, James Earl Murray, 31, of Emlyn, and Curtis W. Bunch, 21, of Williamsburg, with second-degree promoting contraband, and second-degree criminal mischief.
According to Mobley’s citation, jail officials searched cell block 234, and discovered tobacco, a lighter, and ink pens, in addition to a hole in the mortar that jail inmates had dug.
Deputy Jailer Scott Tindle cited Michael Sears, 51, of Corbin, with second-degree promoting contraband on Christmas Day.
The charge stems from two cigarettes being discovered in Sears socks and underwear as it was being searched, the citation noted.
The jail re-opened Nov. 4, and since then Whitley County Detention Center staff have charged 17 individuals with promoting contraband. Almost all of those charges have dealt with tobacco found inside the facility, which is smoke and tobacco free.