Probable cause affidavit – Eric Gunter
A recent search of all cells in the Baxter County Detention Center has revealed what some would consider a surprisingly large quantity of contraband items, ranging from a small amount of marijuana to a plastic bag containing tobacco to a cell phone. Records even indicate one inmate was found with more than 15 items, including a small file and metal found in a hole dug into the concrete wall, electrical wire and a lighter.
But Baxter County Sheriff John Montgomery takes exception with those who would be surprised by the results of the search.
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Sheriff Montgomery says the recent shakedown was initiated after receiving information there was possible contraband in the back area of the jail leading to charges against at least four inmates.
He says while his officers certainly gathered “quite a bit” of contraband in the recent shakedown, he described many of the articles as “small.”
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Montgomery says while the jail’s construction includes components designed to prevent inmates from utilizing them for unintended uses, the sheriff says prisoners manage to utilize items such as electrical wire and phone chargers.
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Other items located during the search included an empty toothpaste tube used as a concealment device and a number of items used to smoke various drugs, including a burnt playing card and a small cardboard tobacco pipe.
According to court records, the search of the cells turned up more than two dozen items.
New charges related to the contraband items were filed August 29th. All of those involved have entered not guilty pleas.
One man, 33-year-old Andrew Beyer of Mountain Home, had earlier been charged with bringing contraband into the jail when returning from a day-long, court-sanctioned furlough. Beyer had been granted the furlough to allow him to retrieve personal property from a friend’s house and move it to his sister’s residence before leaving to serve time in one of the Community Correction Centers in the state.
It is alleged Beyer brought methamphetamine into the jail when he returned from the furlough.
Other inmates charged with having contraband in the jail during the August 23rd security sweep include 25-year-old Ryan Kinsley of Mountain Home, who received a 20-year sentence in the Department of Correction in July; and 39-year-old Christopher Jorsch of Midway, who was given three years in prison in mid-July.
The inmate caught with the longest list of prohibited items was 39-year-old Eric Gunter of Mountain Home. Gunter is in jail on a number of charges, including non-payment of child support.
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