Cook County Jail Officer Charged with Drug Possession

Shadonna Jones

A Cook County corrections officer is facing drug charges after an investigation by the Cook County Sheriff's Office found her in possession of dozens of sheets of paper that officers say were laced with suspected illegal drugs.

Shadonna Jones, 54, is charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to resell, a Class 3 felony punishable by up to seven years in prison. Probation is also an option.

Last month, sheriff's detectives raided Jones' Lynwood home to investigate the alleged smuggling of drug-laced paper into the jail. Officials say investigators discovered an envelope containing 48 sheets of paper that appeared stained and had a grainy texture – typical signs of the presence of illegal substances.

Officers also found a letter addressed to Jones that appeared to have been written by a defendant incarcerated at the jail, according to a prepared statement from the sheriff's department. The letter writer stated that “he sells 'paper' for $10,000 per page” and would pay Jones $2,500 for each package of paper she brought to the jail, according to the sheriff's department.

Jones told investigators she received the papers from the defendant's family, who paid her $1,000 to accept them, officials said. However, they said Jones denied that she wanted to hand over the papers.

The papers subsequently revealed the presence of a synthetic cannabinoid, officials said.

Jones was hired as a deputy in June 2019 and was injured on July 15 when she tried to intervene in a fight between two prisoners. Since then, she has been classified as “injured in the line of duty.”

Jones was released pending trial following an appearance Friday at the Sixth Municipal District Courthouse in Markham. Her next court date is Sept. 19.