Investigators found credible evidence that she was illegally giving out controlled substances to at least one inmate.
TYLER, Texas — A Smith County Jail medical technician accused of distributing substances to at least one inmate was arrested Friday.
Jessica Riley, 41, of Tyler, is charged with prohibited substance in a correctional facility after an investigation. She was then transported to the Gregg County Jail, which is a normal protocol when a Smith County Jail employee is arrested. Her bond was set at $150,000, according to the Smith County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators found credible evidence that she was illegally giving out controlled substances to at least one inmate. Video showed her passing something from the medical cart to an inmate, who was later identified as Tyirese Dews, 24, of Tyler.
Personnel found two Seroquel tablets hidden in Dews’ bunk, the SCSO said.
Dews is already in the Smith County Jail for a promotion of prostitution charge. He is one of three people accused of trying to set up the prostitution of a human trafficking victim.
Documents say Dews set up a meet-up with an undercover officer. Officers found Dews’ vehicle nearby, and he was found trying to break his phone. The officer says Dews was likely trying to destroy evidence. The investigator determined that Dews set up the online advertisement as he had the phone connected with the ad. Dews is also a documented criminal gang member, the affidavit read.
Dews now has an additional charge of prohibited substance in correctional facility and bond was at $250,000.
The investigation remains active.