JENKS TWP., Pa. (EYT) – A 36-year-old woman faces charges for attempting to bring illegal drugs into a state prison in Forest County.
According to court documents, on July 29, Marienville-based State Police filed charges against 36-year-old Brandi Marie Johnson-Ellis, of Aliquippa, for allegedly trying to smuggle marijuana into the State Correctional Institution in Jenks Township, Forest County.
According to c criminal complaint, State Trooper Benson, of PSP Marienville, was called to SCI Forest for an incident involving drugs that were brought into the prison by Johnson-Ellis. She was observed on video by SCI Forest Corrections Staff pulling contraband from under her shirt/waistband area while at the prison to visit an inmate.
Johnson-Ellis was confronted by SCI Forest staff who seized seven wrapped marijuana balls inside a 3 Musketeers candy wrapper weighing 16.1 grams. “A NIK kit test of the substance revealed it to be positive for marijuana,” the complaint states.
SCI Forest contacted PSP Marienville to report this incident, and after Trooper Benson arrived at the scene, Johnson-Ellis was searched by a female Corrections Officer with negative results. Johnson-Ellis was placed into custody and transported back to PSP Marienville where she was fingerprinted and photographed, the complaint continues.
Court documents indicate Trooper Benson filed criminal charges against Johnson-Ellis in District Judge Daniel L. Miller’s office.
She was arraigned at 2:15 p.m., on Friday, July 29, on the following charges:
- Contraband Prohibited — Alcohol and Drugs — Brought into Correctional Institution, Felony
- Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
- Intentional Possession Controlled Substance By Person Not Regulated, Misdemeanor
Unable to post $25,000.00 monetary bail, she was lodged in the Warren County Jail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on August 2 in front of Judge Miller.
