PITTSBURGH, PA — The Allegheny County Sheriff’s Office has reported the arrest of Lauren Barricella, a 33-year-old woman from Allison Park, on serious charges related to an attempt to smuggle drugs to her incarcerated boyfriend. Sheriff Kevin M. Kraus detailed that Barricella faces felony charges including contraband, criminal conspiracy, and delivery, following an incident at the office of Magisterial District Judge Tom Swan.
The scheme involved Barricella attempting to use the magistrate’s office bathroom to pass deflated balloons containing suspected marijuana and heroin to Jesse Eaton, who is currently held in the Allegheny County Jail on drug-related offenses. The illicit materials were discovered on December 18, 2023, by court staff on the bathroom floor, a space accessible to both the public and inmates awaiting court appearances.
Following the discovery, detectives conducted a thorough investigation, which included reviewing scheduled court cases and jailhouse phone calls between Barricella and Eaton. This evidence confirmed the plan to transfer the suspected drugs, leading to Barricella’s arrest and charges.