Jail Staff, Ex-Inmate Arrested In Fulton Co. Contraband Probe: FCSO (2024)

During the probe, the home of a detention officer accused of being in a relationship with a former inmate was raided.

Posted Mon, Jan 22, 2024 at 12:11 pm ET

The Fulton County Sheriff's Office said Friday the investigation against the group started in December 2023, when cigarette cartons were found in a food tray on one of the jail housing floors. Authorities did not share further details on the matter.

"The investigation has revealed an organized network that has profited at least six figures over the course of one year," authorities said in a news release.

Four of those arrested were employees of Summit Correctional Services, which began its contract with the Rice Street jail on April 1, 2023.

"The former food services contract was held by Aramark. All four Summit employees arrested worked in the facility for Aramark and were retained by Summit under the new contract," authorities said in the release.

Additionally, the sheriff's office said a detention officer - whom they identified as Tiffany Davis - met with former inmate Vanlen Preston while he was detained at the jail. The encounter happened sometime after Davis was hired on Dec. 7, 2022.

The pair developed a relationship, staying in contact after Preston was released on bond in September 2023, authorities said.

Authorities executed a search warrant Friday at Davis' home in South Fulton, where Preston also lived, authorities said.

The following items were seized during the search, per authorities:

• Two firearms, with one being stolen
• Marijuana
• Drone
• About $4,500 in U.S. currency

The six people were arrested on the following charges, per authorities:

• Richard Smith, Summit warehouse supervisor/driver, arrested on Jan. 4
  • three counts obtain/procure/give inmate tobacco/tobacco product without authorization; one count crossing guard lines of correctional institution, prohibited items, substances; one count possession of marijuana, less than one ounce
• Tiffany Anderson, Summit food service worker, arrested on Jan. 4
  • two counts obtain/procure/give inmate tobacco/tobacco product without authorization; two counts crossing guard lines of correctional institution, prohibited items, substances
• Sequoyah Anderson-Roberts, Summit assistant director, arrested on Jan. 5
  • one count obtain/procure/give inmate tobacco/tobacco product without authorization
• Nicole Sheats, Summit food service worker, arrested on Jan. 9
  • one count obtain/procure/give inmate tobacco/tobacco product without authorization
• Tiffany Davis, Fulton County Sheriff's Office detention officer, arrested and terminated Friday
  • two counts violation of oath of office by public officer; two counts obtain for, procure for or give an inmate tobacco or tobacco products without consent of jailer; one count participation in criminal gang activity prohibited
• Vanlen Preston, former Fulton County Jail inmate, arrested Friday
  • one count of conspiracy to commit a Felony; four counts of participation in criminal gang activity prohibited

“I am committed to our team thoroughly investigating allegations of criminal behavior by contractors, employees and inmates alike," Fulton County Sheriff Patrick “Pat” Labat said in a news release. "This investigation uncovered a network of bad actors with ill-intentions. The introduction of contraband into our facilities threatens the safety and security of the inmates in our care and custody, as well as our staff. We will continue to investigate these crimes and bring these offenders to justice.”

The Fulton County Jail is currently the focus of two investigations, one by the U.S. Department of Justice and another by the Georgia Senate.

The jail has faced scrutiny after multiple inmates have died at the jail, including Lashawn Thompson whose family contends he was eaten alive by at least 1,000 bed bugs. A number of jail detention officers have also been arrested in the past year for various reasons.