Bars from a prison jail cast a shadow on the floro.
Bars from a prison jail cast a shadow on the floro.

Florida corrections officer trainee arrested for attempting to smuggle drugs into prison

by
March 11, 2025
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LAKE CITY, Fla. — A corrections officer trainee at Suwannee Correctional Institution has been arrested on drug charges after a multi-agency investigation uncovered an alleged plan to smuggle narcotics into the prison, authorities announced.

Jakaleb Thomas, 28, of Lake City, was taken into custody after detectives from the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and the Gainesville-Alachua County Drug Task Force intercepted an illegal drug delivery intended for her. Investigators seized 42 grams of crystal methamphetamine and 211 grams of marijuana from Thomas.

Thomas was booked into the Columbia County Detention Facility on a $333,000 bond.

The investigation was a joint effort involving multiple agencies, including the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office, Gainesville Police Department, Florida Highway Patrol, Lake City Police Department, Florida Department of Corrections Office of Inspector General, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton

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