Eleven persons were arrested Monday, including five inmates, by agents of the state attorney general's office for smuggling illegal drugs into the Carbon County prison. Prosecutors said the prescription narcotics were smuggled into the prison via the inmates' incoming mail.
District Attorney Gary F. Dobias, along with acting Attorney General Bill Ryan, made the announcement of the arrests at a news conference held at the county's communications center at the county prison.
Dobias said the investigation into the activity was labeled "Operation Postage Stamp." He said it began in January when the prison warden, Joseph Gross, intercepted three letters containing a Suboxone underneath the letters' stamps.
Dobias said the drug Suboxone, which is used to treat heroin addiction, is commonly produced in pill form, but now is being manufactured in thin, film-like strips, very similar to the popular breath freshening strips.
According to Dobias the intercepted letters were addressed to inmates Michael Kent, Kermit Sponheimer and Chad Hartsell.
Investigators said agents of the AG's office reviewed and intercepted numerous telephone conversations recorded from the prison phones and were able to identify two additional inmates and six others, family members and/or girlfriends who were allegedly conspiring to smuggle the Suboxone into the prison.
The other two inmates allegedly involved were identified as Daniel Thorpe and James Dennis.
Ryan thanked Dobias and his staff for their assistance in the investigation and said that the Carbon DA would prosecute the cases.
Those charged included:
Chad Hartsell, 29, currently an inmate at the prison, is charged with one count each of criminal attempt to possess controlled substance (CS) contraband by a prisoner, criminal use of a communication facility, criminal conspiracy to possess a CS contraband by a prisoner, criminal attempt to unlawfully possess a CS and criminal solicitation to commit contraband to confined persons.
Kristin Gemmel, 26, of 625 Franklin Ave., Palmerton, is charged with one count each of furnishing CS contraband to confined persons, criminal conspiracy to furnish CS contraband to confined persons and criminal use of a communication facility.
Daniel Thorpe, 25, currently an inmate at the prison, is charged with two counts of criminal attempt to possess a CS contraband by a prisoner, and one count each of criminal conspiracy to commit possession of a CS contraband by a prisoner, criminal solicitation to commit contraband to confined persons and criminal use of a communication facility.
Kaitlyn Hill, 22, of 1763 Hemlock Drive, Lehighton, is charged with one count each of criminal attempt to commit CS contraband to confined persons, criminal conspiracy to commit CS to confined persons and criminal use of a communication facility.
Michael Kent, 25, currently an inmate at the county prison, is charged with one count each of criminal attempt to possess CS contraband by a prisoner, criminal use of a communication facility and criminal conspiracy to possess CS contraband by a prisoner.
Goergetta Perez, 49, of 239 E. Catawissa St., Nesquehoning, is charged with one count each of furnishing CS contraband to confined persons, criminal conspiracy to furnish CS to confined persons and criminal use of a communication facility.
James Dennis, 25, currently an inmate at the Lehigh County prison, is charged with one count each of possession of a CS contraband by a prisoner, criminal use of a communication facility and criminal conspiracy to possess CS contraband by a prisoner.
Michael Dennis, 24, of 725 N. First St., Lehighton, is charged with one count each of criminal attempt to furnish CS contraband to confined persons, criminal conspiracy to commit CS contraband to confined persons and criminal use of a communication facility.
Kristin Tyahla, 22, of 12A Fairyland Rd., Lehighton, is charged with one count each of furnishing CS contraband to confined persons, criminal conspiracy to furnish CS contraband to confined persons and criminal use of a communication facility.
Kermit Sponheimer, 59, currently an inmate at the county prison, is charged with one count each of criminal attempt to possess CS contraband by a prisoner, criminal use of a communication facility, criminal conspiracy to possess CS contraband by a prisoner, criminal attempt to commit unlawful possession of CS and criminal solicitation to commit contraband to confined persons.
Kory Sponheimer, 23, of 151 W. Columbus Ave., Nesquehoning, is charged with one count each of furnishing CS contraband to confined persons, criminal conspiracy to furnish CS contraband to confined persons and criminal use of a communication facility.
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Not impressed! Why aren't these young adults offered drug rehabilitation (Suboxone) when incarcerated???? They are drug tested when entering the prison. The prison/judical system is aware of who is entering with an addiction yet they do not offer the treatment these people need. Suboxone has been an effective form of treatment for those who have heroin/opiate dependence. Opiate withdrawals can include seizures, vomiting, severe flu-like symptoms, severe body cramps and can lead to death. This is a blatant example of how our judicial system has failed once again! Obviously they are uninformed of what the addiction entails. Pray for these kids! If they are incarcerated for committing a crime, these crimes most likely came about because of the addiction. Anyone with common sense would know that these people with addiction need medical and psychological help. Putting a person with a drug addiction in a jail cell without any help is a cruel and unjust punishment! Unless you have walked in their shoes you cannot judge how or why this happened. No one is immune from this disease....from law enforcement to any walk of life!
I too am praying for the youth and the authorities who are in charge of the correctional system. If rehabilitation is not offered, then how are these young men and women ever going to get the help they so badly need. It is such a vicious cycle not only in Carbon County but around the USA. God Bless and be a force in getting programs into the local jails....