LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – One man is in custody and another is wanted after contraband was tossed into the Reception and Treatment Center’s yard last year.
Authorities arrested 31-year-old Kelly McCormack on Friday. An arrest warrant was issued Thursday for both McCormack and a 27-year-old man. Both men are charged with delivering a controlled substance and conveyance of an article to an inmate.
An investigator with the Nebraska State Patrol was made aware of several items found in the center’s yard on Dec. 28, 2023. The items included two tennis balls that had been painted white and four white socks.
Inside the items, authorities discovered 33.3 grams of marijuana, two cell phones, a phone charger, an ‘L’ shaped metal fitting, cigarettes and $1.28 in coins. Staff thought the tennis balls had been painted white to camouflage them in the snow.
Video surveillance showed someone walking up to the facility and making several throwing gestures around 4:35 a.m. that same morning.
Investigators reviewed phone communications from the facility between the 28th and 30th, and they discovered an inmate had spoken with three people, two of whom were identified as McCormack and the 27-year-old man.
The inmate used code words to discuss contraband being introduced into the prison, the investigator wrote.
One of the three people the inmate spoke with was interviewed in April. They told the investigator that the inmate had requested the items that were eventually tossed onto prison grounds, and that he was willing to pay to get it done.
McCormack was then interviewed twice. He told the investigator that the two phones had been dropped off at his residence months prior to them appearing at the prison.
Investigators think McCormack purchased the marijuana and two cards to activate the phones before dropping off the 27-year-old man near the prison on the morning of the 28th. McCormack said he could see the 27-year-old toss the items from where he parked, according to an arrest affidavit.
After the items were left at the prison, authorities think the 27-year-old hopped on a bus out of Lincoln on Dec. 30, 2023. An arrest warrant was issued for him the same day as McCormack, but he has yet to be taken into custody. Charges have not been filed for the third conspirator interviewed in April.
McCormack was taken into custody on Friday, and he is expected in court for an arraignment at 2 p.m.
Click here to subscribe to our 10/11 NOW daily digest and breaking news alerts delivered straight to your email inbox.
Copyright 2024 KOLN. All rights reserved.
One man is in custody and another is wanted after contraband was tossed into the Reception and Treatment Center’s yard last year. Read More
