INDIANAPOLIS — Five people are facing criminal charges in connection with an alleged effort to bring Suboxone into the Marion County Adult Detention Center, with investigators saying inmates coordinated with people outside the jail to conceal the medication in clothing intended for court appearances.
The investigation was conducted by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Crime Intelligence Unit and the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office. According to court documents, inmates allegedly used phone calls to coordinate with people outside the facility and arrange for Suboxone strips to be hidden inside clothing.
Suboxone is a prescription medication commonly used to treat opioid use disorder.
Investigators say the alleged plan involved purchasing clothing, concealing the medication in the seams or pockets, and getting the clothing to an inmate through an attorney before a court appearance. In one instance, authorities reportedly found about 180 orange Suboxone strips hidden in a pair of pants, with the strips weighing approximately 9 grams.
Five people have been charged in connection with the investigation:
- Willie McMillian — Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in a Schedule III Controlled Substance and Attempted Trafficking with an Inmate
- Zay McDaniels — Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in a Schedule III Controlled Substance
- Marquis Craig — Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in a Schedule III Controlled Substance
- Joshua Bland — Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in a Schedule III Controlled Substance
- Danasia Anderson — Attempted Trafficking with an Inmate
Prosecutors allege McDaniels and other inmates communicated with McMillian by phone about obtaining clothing and concealing Suboxone inside it. The clothing was then allegedly intended to be delivered to an inmate’s attorney ahead of a court proceeding.
Investigators also allege that Anderson delivered clothing containing Suboxone to an inmate’s attorney before a jury trial in September. The clothing was searched before the inmate was able to change into it, leading authorities to discover the hidden strips.
Marion County Sheriff Kerry Forestal said the investigation highlights the difficulty of preventing criminal activity from continuing inside detention facilities. He said authorities must remain vigilant as inmates and outside contacts look for ways to circumvent jail security.
Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said investigators acted quickly after identifying the alleged scheme and that his office will continue working with law enforcement to pursue cases involving attempts to bring narcotics into detention facilities.
The charges remain allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. The investigation and related court proceedings are expected to determine the full circumstances surrounding the alleged smuggling operation.
