Crime & Safety

'Only Tobacco' Lands Worker in Jail

Bartow County authorities arrested a man they say tried to sneak contraband to jail inmates in Cartersville.

authorities arrested an Alabama man who was performing maintenance work inside the jail.

Sheriff Clark Millsap said in a news release that deputies working at the jail escorted Ronald Bert Epperson, 48, an employee of Etowah Chemicals, to the laundry area inside the jail to check on a malfunctioning machine. After working in the area for a while, Epperson indicated that he was finished.

But jailers were suspicious of his timing and activities and checked the area in which he was working. They found tobacco, rolling papers and a lighter wrapped up inside a latex glove and taped inside the machine.

When questioned, Epperson allegedly admitted concealing the items for inmates and said, "It was only tobacco."

He was charged with possession of prohibited items beyond a guard line for allegedly hiding the tobacco for inmates to consume. Epperson is currently in jail awaiting a bond hearing.

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