St. Tammany jail drug ring uncovered, 11 arrested
St. Tammany Parish LA Dec 21 2017 Parish deputies have arrested 11 people accused of working to smuggle drugs into the parish jail.
Detectives say inmate Justin Olivieri led the drug ring. His girlfriend allegedly used different drop-off points outside the jail while trustees brought the narcotics and other drugs inside.
At least three of the women arrested are married to or dating inmates who are also facing charges.
The sheriff’s says the arrests are the result of a months-long investigation into jail security.
Following is a press release from the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office:
“Since taking office, Sheriff Randy Smith has made jail security a priority. In evaluating the security of the jail and addressing problem areas, a criminal investigation ensued regarding contraband being introduced into the jail.
“Following an extensive investigation that has been ongoing for months, the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force has made multiple arrests related to contraband being introduced into the St. Tammany Parish Jail.
“The investigation revealed that inmate Justin Olivieri (DOB 6/30/91) led a narcotics distribution network in the jail. The narcotics and other contraband were being dropped at various locations outside of the jail where inmate trustees could locate them and smuggle them back into the facility.
“The contraband was mostly being delivered to these locations outside the jail by Olivieri’s girlfriend, Melanie Barletto (DOB 1/30/1980; 3827 Croydon St., Slidell).
“Erin Dutton (DOB 4/28/1986; 1402 North Causeway Blvd., Apt. 1209, Mandeville), the girlfriend of inmate trustee Christopher Conway (DOB 11/21/1979), also conspired with Olivieri and Barletto to introduce contraband into the jail. She was arrested as she was on her way to the jail to make a delivery.
“The hard work of our detectives and deputies at our jail helped us recognize areas of concern, which led to multiple arrests,” Sheriff Randy Smith said. “Those areas are actively being addressed and corrected through tighter security measures, particularly concerning trustee inmates.”
“The investigation led to the arrest of several other inmates within the jail as well.”
Inmate Justin Olivieri and inmate trustees Casey Collins (DOB 11/7/1982), Joshua Fellon (DOB 2/12/1995), and Christopher Conway were arrested for L.R.S. 14:26/402 Conspiracy to Introduce Contraband. Melanie Barletto was arrested the same charge.
Inmate trustee Joseph Austin (DOB 9/13/1989) was arrested for the following charges:
L.R.S. 40:966 Possession of Schedule I Marijuana
L.R.S. 40:967 Possession of Schedule II Methamphetamine
L.R.S. 40:968 Possession of Schedule III Suboxone
L.R.S. 14:402 Introduction of Contraband
Erin Dutton was booked into the St. Tammany Parish Jail on the following charges:
L.R.S. 14:26/402 Conspiracy to Introduce Contraband
L.R.S. 40:966 Possession of Schedule I Marijuana
L.R.S. 40:967 Possession of Schedule II Methamphetamine
L.R.S. 40:967 Possession of Schedule II Hydrocodone
L.R.S. 40:968 Possession of Schedule III Belbuca
L.R.S. 40:969 Possession of Schedule IV Xanax
L.R.S. 40:1023 Possession of Drug Paraphernalia
Dutton was rebooked and the following charges were added.
L.R.S. 14:26 Criminal Conspiracy
L.R.S. 14:402 Introduction of Contraband
Kimberly Lee (DOB 1/6/1977; 361 Pheasant Lane, Slidell) was booked into the St. Tammany Parish Jail on the following charges: L.R.S. 40:967c Possession of Schedule II Adderall
L.R.S. 40:968c Possession of Schedule III Suboxone
L.R.S. 40:1060.13 Possession of a Legend Drug
Inmate trustee John Bigner (DOB 4/12/1983) and his wife, Lauren Bigner (DOB 9/5/1987; 298 Cherokee Rose Drive, Covington) were booked for L.R.S. 40:979 Drug Conspiracy.
Inmate trustee Blayne O’Neal (DOB 2/12/1988) was booked for L.R.S. 40:968C Possession of Schedule III CDS Suboxone.
The STPSO Narcotics Task Force is comprised of detectives from the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, Mandeville Police Department, Covington Police Department and Slidell Police Department.
