Prison Contraband Smuggling Investigation Leads to Multiple Arrests

REGION 1 NEWS RELEASE
May 13, 2024

Jackson – Over the course of several months, investigators with the Louisiana State Police – Criminal Investigations Division (LSP-CID) along with Dixon Correctional Institute (DCI) investigators and East Feliciana Sheriff’s Office (EFSO) detectives have made multiple arrests related to a contraband smuggling investigation. The investigation was initiated as a result of proactive efforts by Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections (DOC) investigators and DCI security personnel.

The investigation began in November of 2023 when DOC investigators and DCI security personnel seized several large bundles of contraband. The bundles included large quantities of illegal narcotics, cell phones, and other forms of contraband. The investigation resulted in the identification of a large scale contraband smuggling operation involving DCI inmates, trustees, a civilian DCI employee, and several other civilian individuals from the Baton Rouge area. The group was working collectively to smuggle pounds of marijuana, pounds of methamphetamine, large quantities of synthetic cannabinoids, heroin, cocaine, hundreds of Suboxone strips, hundreds of dosage units of prescription medication, along with numerous cell phones, chargers, mobile WiFi devices, and knives. Investigators estimate the value of items smuggled into DCI by this group to be worth over $90,000.

As a result of the investigation so far, nine individuals have been arrested:

• Dwayne Blair (DCI inmate) – booked at the E. Feliciana Parish Prison for Introduction of Contraband, PWITD a Sch. I Controlled Substance, PWITD a Sch. II Controlled Substance, and PWITD a Sch. III Controlled Substance

• Bruce Padilla (DCI inmate) – booked at the E. Feliciana Parish Prison for Criminal Conspiracy to commit Introduction of Contraband, Dist. of a Sch. I Controlled Substance, and Dist. of a Sch. II Controlled Substance

• Dustin Watson (DCI civilian employee) – booked at the E. Feliciana Parish Prison for Malfeasance in Office, Introduction of Contraband, PWITD a Sch. I Controlled Substance, PWITD a Sch. II Controlled Substance, PWITD a Sch. III Controlled Substance, and PWITD a Sch. IV Controlled Substance

• Christopher Henderson (DCI inmate) – booked at the E. Feliciana Parish Prison for Racketeering, Criminal Conspiracy to commit Introduction of Contraband, Dist. of a Sch. I Controlled Substance, and Dist. of a Sch. II Controlled Substance

• Aranton Johnson (DCI inmate) – booked at the E. Feliciana Parish Prison for Criminal Conspiracy to commit Introduction of Contraband, Dist. of a Sch. I Controlled Substance, and Dist. of a Sch. II Controlled Substance

• Ernest Miles (DCI inmate) – booked at the E. Feliciana Parish Prison for Criminal Conspiracy to commit Introduction of Contraband, Dist. of a Sch. I Controlled Substance, and Dist. of a Sch. II Controlled Substance

• Lernise Jackson – booked at the E. Baton Rouge Parish Prison for Dist. of a Sch. I Controlled Substance, Dist. of a Sch. II Controlled Substance, Dist. of a Sch. III Controlled Substance, and Criminal Conspiracy to commit Introduction of Contraband

• Jarryl Bowie – booked at the E. Feliciana Parish Prison for Criminal Conspiracy to commit Introduction of Contraband, Dist. of a Sch. I Controlled Substance, and Dist. of a Sch. II Controlled Substance

• Lauren Robinson – booked at the E. Feliciana Parish Prison for Criminal Conspiracy to commit Introduction of Contraband

This case remains under investigation as investigators work to identify other potentially involved suspects. Additional charges on these individuals as well as additional arrests are possible. Anyone with potential information related to this case is urged to share that information with LSP Detectives. Information can anonymously be reported through the Louisiana State Police online reporting system by visiting File a Report or calling the LSP Fusion Center Hotline at 1-800-434-8007.

Contact Information:
Lt. Jared L. Sandifer
Louisiana State Police
Public Affairs Section
Office: (225) 925-6202
[email protected]