A 33-year-old Baltimore man who is being held at the Carroll County Detention Center was convicted Monday of attempting to smuggle heroin into the jail last spring.
Michael W. Stein was convicted of conspiracy to distribute heroin, conspiracy to smuggle heroin into the Detention Center and attempted possession of heroin.
Stein, who is serving an 18-month sentence for theft, could receive a total of up to 27 years for the three convictions, Carroll County State's Attorney Jerry F. Barnes said yesterday.
Stein, who has a previous drug conviction, is to be sentenced in February.
"We are going to ask for a severe sentence to show that this type of behavior will not be tolerated," Mr. Barnes said.
"At all costs, we have to cut off contraband being imported to convicts."
According to court papers, Stein and four other inmates attempted to get Stein's girlfriend to pass them heroin and condoms in six waxed-paper envelopes on March 8.
Cpl. Mark Gonder of the Carroll County Sheriff's Department said in court papers that after he was told about the scheme, he watched the Detention Center trash bin with several other officers.
The officers said they noticed a car being driven to the bin and then away.
Officers stopped the car and retrieved the drugs and contraband.
"This was a very good case, orchestrated on only a few hours notice," Mr. Barnes said.
Debra Ann Minnick was charged with several heroin-related offenses and conspiracy in connection with the incident.
She is to be tried in February, Mr. Barnes said.
