Drug smuggling alleged in jail

A correctional officer at the Baltimore City Detention Center has been arrested and charged with drug offenses after another officer saw marijuana being passed to a prisoner, according to a statement yesterday by the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services.

According to court documents, Tonyette Yeargin, 19, of Northeast Baltimore was arrested Saturday on charges that include possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and delivery of illegal contraband.

The statement says a correctional officer witnessed the incident and notified authorities. Officials said the latest arrest is the third in 10 days involving prison employees trying to smuggle items into the city's detention center.

On June 14, a correctional officer was stopped trying to bring in lighters, tobacco, rolling paper, marijuana and a cellular phone earpiece in a shopping bag, prison officials said. The next day, a dietary worker tried to get through security with a cell phone and tobacco.