A retired Houston-area attorney is on the other side of the law, accused of allegedly delivering drug documents to the Harris County Jail and causing the deaths of two inmates, according to Harris County authorities.
Authorities say Ronald Lewis, 77, now faces two charges of having a prohibited substance in a correctional facility.
Authorities said Lewis had 11 sheets of paper in his possession when he was arrested on Friday, Nov. 17, at the Harris County Jail.
The Texas Rangers are now analyzing those documents to confirm they contain narcotics, authorities said.
According to court documents, at least two inmates died as a result of the substances Lewis allegedly brought to the jail and several other inmates reported having serious side effects.
“Interlocking sheets of mail were often disguised as legal mail or other forms of legal documents. Inmates would pay attorneys between $200 and $500 to bring in the interlocking papers,” Lt. J Wheeler of the Harris County Sheriff’s Office said during a news conference.
Retired attorney Ronald Lewis is accused of delivering drug documents to the Harris County Jail and killing two inmates. Harris County Sheriff’s Office
Court documents identified the substance as methoxy dimethyl oxobutane.
“Mr. Lewis visited 14 inmates from July 2023 to November 2023. During the investigation, approximately 154 sheets of paper were believed to be filled with narcotics and were confiscated,” Lt. Wheeler continued.
According to a prosecutor with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, the relationship between the inmates and Lewis is unclear.
Ronald Lewis visited inmates from July 2023 to November 2023 as approximately 154 sheets of paper were believed to be filled with narcotics and were confiscated,” said Lt. Wheeler. fox 26
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez told Fox 26 he created a task force to combat crime and dangerous narcotics inside the jail in March after receiving backlash over a spike in jail deaths.
Gonzalez added that the jail has also beefed up a number of security measures, including adding three drug-sniffing dogs and implementing stricter protocols for jail mail.
According to Harris County authorities, 27 inmates died in 2022 and so far, 19 have died in 2023.
Jail records show Lewis posted $7,500 bail on Saturday and, as part of his bail conditions, he is prohibited from visiting anyone in jail while the case is pending.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn