Detention officer fired after arrest in drug smuggling investigation

CRAVEN COUNTY, N.C. (WITN) – A detention officer has been fired in an Eastern Carolina county after he was arrested for smuggling drugs into prison.

Craven County deputies and the SBI began their investigation Saturday into smuggling and distribution of contraband at the county jail.

Christen Koonce was charged with possession with intent to manufacture, sell, and deliver Schedule II controlled substances, possession with intent to manufacture, sell, and deliver Schedule III controlled substances, and possession with intent to manufacture, sell, and deliver Schedule III controlled substances Manufacture, Sell and Deliver Schedule VI, charged with Conspiracy to Sell/Deliver Schedule II Controlled Substances, Conspiracy to Sell/Deliver Schedule III Controlled Substances, Conspiracy to Sell/Deliver Schedule VI Controlled Substances, Resisting a Public Official, willful failure to perform duties and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Officers said they found two white envelopes in the detention officer's vehicle that contained tobacco, marijuana, Suboxone and opioid pills.

The sheriff's office says Koonce, 24, had been a detention officer since late 2022. He was jailed on a $50,000 bond.

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