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Jail detention officer fired and arrested

A detention officer was fired and arrested on suspicion of bringing contraband into the Troup County Jail, among other charges, earlier this week.

Troup County Sheriff’s Office officials said that Angel Rafael Vargas, 38, of Columbus was arrested after eight months of surveillance.

Vargas is charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, prohibited possession of inmate contraband and crossing the guard line of the detention facility with contraband, Troup County Sheriff’s public information officer Lt. Chad Mann said.

Over the course of the investigation, sheriff’s officials said Vargas allegedly introduced marijuana, cellphones, a financial transaction card and other items to jail inmates in exchange for payment.

LaGrange resident Duwanda Phillips said in an interview Wednesday with LaGrange Daily News that her son, Toby Payne, informed officials of three detention officers smuggling illegal contraband in to inmates. She said he was incarcerated at Troup County Jail for violation of probation when he reported the incident.

“He told me there was an officer who let them smoke cigarettes in the morning and afternoon,” Phillips said.

Phillips said she met a third party at an undisclosed location to get tobacco to her son while in jail. Phillips was charged with criminal intent to commit a felony, and providing contraband to an inmate without consent, she said.

“I never took anything across a guard line,” Phillips said. “I was told that they allowed this stuff.”

Sheriff’s officials would not confirm Phillips statements.

Over the last 10 months, the Troup County Sheriff’s Office arrested 23 individuals for introducing contraband to the jail population. Civilians made up roughly half of those arrests. The felony cases will likely result in jail time for the individuals caught crossing the guard line with contraband, Mann said.

“Indiscriminately, the introduction of contraband to this facility will not be tolerated,” Sheriff Donny Turner said. “Even detention officers who choose to commit a crime will be prosecuted and do their time.”

Vargas made bail at $25,000 at another facility, according to sheriff’s officials. The sheriff’s office said Vargas’ arrest is part of an ongoing investigation with the possibility of additional arrests to follow.