Jail Sweep Nets Lots of Contraband, Arrests Made

Drugs, weapons, and various other types of contraband have been uncovered in a shakedown effort at the Tangipahoa Parish Jail resulting in two arrests so far.

Over the past two weeks, multiple searches of individual dorms have been taking place in order to rid the facility of illegal items and root out their route inside the jail. The effort culminated last week (Thursday, September 19, 2024) with “Operation Shake It Up;” a full-scale search of the entire facility with the assistance of the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office.

The searches turned up numerous improvised weapons or “shanks,” a large amount of paper suspected to be laced with synthetic THC, more commonly known as “Mojo,” suspected meth, prescription pills, tobacco, homemade alcohol, cash and a cellphone.

As each search was completed, new policies and procedures were put in place to stop the flow of contraband coming into the facility. At this time, the trustee program, which allows inmates the ability to do work outside of the jail, is under reevaluation as it is believed to be the likely source of the breaches.

Inmates Marques Harrison, 43, and Artrell Griffen, 28, have each been arrested on one count of Introduction of Contraband into a Penal Institution. 

“I want to commend our team for their work to continue the turnaround of the parish jail’s security, safety and operations as well as thank our partners at the Livingston Parish Sheriff’s Office for their assistance and expertise through this process,” said Sheriff Gerald Sticker, “And to those involved with smuggling these items into the jail– both in the jail currently and outside of it– the game is over.”

This investigation is ongoing and more arrests are expected.