Two Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies, a former deputy, and an inmate at the Orleans Justice Center are accused of collaborating to introduce drugs into the facility.
The allegations are the result of an investigation into the potential introduction of contraband into the jail that began in May, according to the OPSO. According to OPSO officials, Deputy Thomya Bryant, 25, stated to investigators that she allegedly provided an inmate with approximately four porous ink pens that contained suboxone strips during the investigation.
The OPSO also reported that Deputy Giona Gibson, 22, allegedly intended to smuggle additional hollow pens containing suboxone into the jail in April but did not follow through.
According to OPSO officials, Dymond Smith, a 22-year-old former deputy, has been charged with the alleged provision of narcotics. Smith was terminated in December 2023 for “disciplinary infractions,” according to the OPSO. Bryant is accused of malfeasance in office and the introduction of contraband into a correctional facility.
Gibson is accused of criminal conspiracy, malfeasance in office, and compounding a felony.
Smith is currently being prosecuted for criminal conspiracy and public extortion. Kevin Ratliff, a 33-year-old inmate, is currently being charged with public extortion and criminal conspiracy.
