This from the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Department:
On July 3, 2019, the Hamilton County Grand Jury handed down indictments on seven persons charging them with introducing and/or attempting to introduce illegal drugs into the Silverdale Detention Center located at 7609 Standifer Gap Road, Chattanooga, Tennessee.
This crime was initially brought to the attention of the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office on June 6, 2019 at approximately 7:00 pm. Sheriff’s Detectives were called to Silverdale Detention Center in reference to a drug overdose involving two inmates. Both inmates were transported to Erlanger East Hospital; likewise, a Core Civic employee was also transported for incidental exposure.
Detectives arrived on scene and initiated an investigation into events surrounding the incident. Both inmates and the Core Civic employee were treated and released from the hospital. The inmates who overdosed have been identified as inmates Summer Wright and Destiny Mikel/ The HCSO’s investigation determined that Core Civic employee, Alixzadra Kesley was involved in introducing illegal drugs into the correctional facility. She was immediately fired by the Core Civic Warden after he was made aware of the facts surrounding the alleged activity.
The drugs smuggled into Core Civic were heroin and methamphetamine.
The Hamilton County Grand Jury handed down the following indictments:
Alixzadra Kesley, former Core Civic employee, charged with: Possession of Contraband in a Penal Institution, Conspiracy to Possess Contraband in a Penal Institution, Reckless Endangerment
Summer Wright, Core Civic Inmate, charged with: Possession of Contraband in a Penal Institution, Conspiracy to Possess Contraband in a Penal Institution, Reckless Endangerment
Destiny Mikel, Core Civic Inmate (released), charged with: Possession of Contraband in a Penal Institution, Conspiracy to Possess Contraband in a Penal Institution, Reckless Endangerment
Jamie Davis, Core Civic Inmate, charged with: Possession of Contraband in a Penal Institution, Conspiracy to Possess Contraband in a Penal Institution, Reckless Endangerment
David Jolley charged with: Possession of Contraband in a Penal Institution, Conspiracy to Possess Contraband in a Penal Institution, Reckless Endangerment
Johnathan Summers charged with: Possession of Contraband in a Penal Institution, Conspiracy to Possess Contraband in a Penal Institution, Reckless Endangerment
William Baker charged with: Possession of Contraband in a Penal Institution, Conspiracy to Possess Contraband in a Penal Institution, Reckless Endangerment
All parties have been arrested and booked through the Hamilton County Jail.
“Even though indictments have been handed down, this is still considered an active investigation,.” said Chief Deputy Austin Garrett. “We are committed to preserving the safety and wellbeing of those within our correctional facility and maintaining the integrity of our agency’s operations.”
The Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Hamilton County District Attorney’s Office and Core Civic for their assistance with this investigation.
